Don’t worry about living…wondering what you are going to eat or drink, or what you are going to wear. Surely life is more important than food and the body more important than clothes you wear. Look at the birds in the sky. They never sow nor reap nor store away into barns and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you much more valuable to Him than they are? ... And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the wild flowers grow. They neither work nor weave but I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Throughout His discussion with the disciples, Jesus makes inference to worry and sustenance. In many cases, those who read these passages interpret them to mean that the Christian should not be concerned about providing for himself but instead depend entirely on heavenly provision. But one must read this scripture in context to understand the full implication of Jesus’ words. He is addressing those who “pile up treasures on earth” and those whose love of money causes a question of allegiance, putting one in the mindset of increasing possessions for the sake of increase. This behavior plays to the praise of men rather than the glory of God. Jesus says you cannot serve two masters. He warns of the danger of auspicious giving and praying. He refers to the simplicity of nature and teaches in the Disciples prayer “Give us each day our daily bread.” In other words, provide for us what we need each day and we will trust you that tomorrow will bring the same.
In times of uncertainty, worry seems to be the normal reaction. But the problem with worry is that it sabotages our energy over things we cannot control. Jesus calls us to action, to redirect our anxieties by putting our trust in the bounty of God and responding to our concerns with faith. Repeatedly, He reminds His disciples of the nearness of God. Ask. Seek. Knock. All of these actions imply a desire for God, to understand that He alone is the answer, that He is the source of all that is good. Think how many times in these passages that Jesus refers to God as “Father.” He, Who is the Son, Who was with God in the beginning, encourages us to understand Who God is and who we are in relation to Him. Ask, He said, and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. God is near - caring, loving, protecting, providing.
The disciples were about to embark on a journey with Jesus. For three years they would witness His teaching and His miracles. In those times they would worry over leaving family, question provisions for crowds of followers, argue over placement in the kingdom and enjoy the daily presence of the Lord. In the end, they would betray Him, deny Him and scatter in the face of His arrest and crucifixion. They would know anxiety much greater than that of what to eat or of what to wear. But they came to understand the truth in Jesus teaching – “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Even death could not deny this assurance. And in the glory of His resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit of God, they would learn to deal with the issues that caused worry and anxiety. We, too, meet the problems of the day with the understanding that God is near, we need only ask, seek and knock.
Guidelines for the Christ follower as presented in the Sermon on the Mount
Love indiscriminately.
Give inconspicuously.
Pray privately.
Forgive unquestionably.
Trust totally.
Serve completely.
Follow wisely.
And always remember that the quality of the Christian is judged by the fruit she produces.
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