Monday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 5:33-39
33 One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?”
34 Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. 35 But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
33 One day some people said to Jesus, “John the Baptist’s disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?”
34 Jesus responded, “Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. 35 But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.”
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
5:33–39 A Question about Fasting. This account contrasts the “new” situation of the kingdom of God with the previous, “old” situation under the Mosaic law. Various kinds of fasts were commonly practiced in OT times, though the law required only one fast a year, on the Day of Atonement (though fasting is probably implied by the command to “afflict yourselves”; Lev. 16:29–34; 23:26–32). In addition to abstaining from food, people were to humble themselves by praying, mourning, and wearing sackcloth. As with giving (Matt. 6:2–4) and praying (vv. 5–15), fasting is to be a matter of the heart between the Christian and God.
5:35 Jesus is fully aware of his coming death. Although a riddle for Jesus’ audience, Luke’s readers would have understood this as referring to Jesus’ death. In those days, that is, in the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection, and also after he has returned to heaven, fasting will be appropriate for his followers.
5:35 Jesus is fully aware of his coming death. Although a riddle for Jesus’ audience, Luke’s readers would have understood this as referring to Jesus’ death. In those days, that is, in the time between Jesus’ death and resurrection, and also after he has returned to heaven, fasting will be appropriate for his followers.
Study Questions:
- At the City, we are committed to teaching Scripture verse by verse. We believe doing so will produce in us a deeper faith and a more profound love for Jesus. We also believe it is important for all of us to be together, in person. Since COVID hit, many have gotten out of the habit of coming to church regularly, opting instead to stay home and watch online. Some stay away for health reasons, but others just find it easier to stay home. Watching church online, however, can never replace being a part of a spiritual family and growing together. Church isn't just about receiving content. It's about serving and growing with a church family. Have you ever found yourself opting for church online for an extended period of time? Why is this such a temptation? What are the possible negative effects of this?
- In verse 33, people question Jesus about why his disciples don't behave like others. His disciples were happy, hanging out with each other, never doing penance or following the typical religious customs. They were never seen fasting. The Pharisees, on the other hand, fasted every Monday and Thursday because those were the busiest days at the market. This was their opportunity to be seen by others. They were committed to the outward show, the routine, but there was no genuine love for God in their hearts. Every time we hear Jesus call out the Pharisees in Scripture, he's talking to us. This is because we all have the tendency to have the same religious spirit. So when he speaks to them, we should ask ourselves what he's saying to us. Can you see this tendency in yourself? Do you ever get too concerned with the outward show?
Pray:
- That you would stay in the habit of meeting together, in person.
- That you would resist the urge to slide into a religious spirit.
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