Matthew 6:25-34

 ““Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! And if this is how God clothes the wild grass, which is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, won’t he clothe you even more, you people of little faith? So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.”

— ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬-‭34‬‬

So much more difficult to apply than understand what Jesus was saying. Could do background study on socio-economic status of those in northern Galilee. They did not have much. 

These verses fit into wisdom/rabbi tradition. Again, Jesus emphasizes the goodness of the Father. He loves His children and longs to provide for them. He will not forget their needs. 

Are there ever followers of Jesus that suffer from hunger or lack of shelter? Probably, and it would be interesting to have a conversation with them. Their perspective would be enlightening. But that’s still not the point here. God provides for His children, generally, universally. Yes, I would still make this a promise, because it’s emphasized in other places of the Bible, too, but I also allow for experience to inform theology. 

Cognitive dissonance is my phrase of the decade I think. Two things can both be true even though they seem contradictory. I can hold things in tension pretty well. The world is an awful place sometimes, but I can have confidence in God’s power and provision and love.

My responsibility is not to worry. An unbelieving mind/heart is concerned about my needs. My desires. What gets me through the day. 

Jesus says to focus on the kingdom. This is a realm. A real realm where Jesus reigns. This is worth a book, but others have done it. Can’t go extensive now. Probably a theology blog later about the already /not yet nature of the kingdom. It’s invisible now but visible later. It’s growing like a mustard seed (not in a post millennial kingdom sense). 

We pray for the kingdom to come and advance on earth.  The church is not the kingdom, but we are inhabitants of the kingdom. Israel is not the kingdom but believing Israel is also part of the church. Jesus reigns over all and we will see that reign completely enforced one day. 

How do we seek it? How do we focus on it? How do we pursue it? And righteousness…a classic Matthew term. The sermon on the mount will tell us. The law of love, both for neighbors/enemies. A higher morality. Matthew will discuss a commitment to discipleship. But all of this assumes a lack of commitment to me and my needs. Can’t have both.

For more reflection on a personal story of struggles with worry, see Chapter 6 in Too Small to Understand Why.