“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? ”
Matthew 6:25-30 (NLT)
Can we just be real for a second? I don’t know how many times I have read the sermon on the mount, more than a few for sure. But, it never clicked in my mind how many questions Jesus asked. We started this year talking about staying salty. Last week, Jesus and I encouraged you love all the “others”. This week, Jesus asks questions to make it clear we are not to worry, because He’s got us.
We do however, need to put this in the proper context. The passage above starts “That is why…” Some translations have the word “therefore” at the beginning of Matthew 6:25. That is because it is linked to the verse that came before. Just before teaching those present about not worrying, Jesus taught about money and possession. The last verse of that section says: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money” (Matthew 6:24). Then our passages for the week start – “That is why…” or “Therefore…”
We are encouraged not to worry about the bare necessities of life, food and clothing specifically. Why? Because, He provides for the rest of His creation and He kind of likes us even more than the birds and flowers, so he’ll provide for us as well. In fact, He will use us to help with that as part of loving all the others. Fortunately, for us if Jesus asks a question; he frequently provides the answer. He tells us not worry and we often ask how? Jesus says: “Seek first the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Simply put – don’t worry, trust Him.
I’ll leave you with these questions, what are you worrying about and how are you trusting Him? Have you cared for someone else, so they don’t have to worry?
Let me know your thoughts. Know someone who might be encouraged by this – please share. I will be praying for you. Until next week – have faith, don’t worry and trust Jesus.
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