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.

1 Peter 1:1-5

 “From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those temporarily residing abroad (in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, the province of Asia, and Bithynia) who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by being set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with Jesus Christ’s blood. May grace and peace be yours in full measure! Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that is, into an inheritance imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It is reserved in heaven for you, who by God’s power are protected through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

— ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭5‬‬

Temporarily residing is ok, but it does take away from the exiles/foreigners idea that runs throughout NT. When Cyrus allowed Jews to return, only a fraction did. By 1st century, 3/4 of Jews were spread throughout Roman Empire (Diaspora), either they never came home or went to live elsewhere (business, travel, etc.). Peter uses this idea for Jewish Christians and by extension the whole church. This present age is not our home. We are exiles and temporary residents.

Set apart by. the Spirit, according to Father’s foreknowledge and by blood of Jesus. So much there, but not today.

Given a new birth into living hope…and into imperishable inheritance. Parallel seems to equate the two (apposition of two phrases). All of this made possible by Jesus’ resurrection. 

Reserved in heaven? Like a foreign place, up and away, shiny lights? Would need to keep reading in Peter to see his full view of the end (2 Peter has current one burning up).

Salvation revealed at last time. Perhaps this is the inheritance just mentioned. The bigger question is how can salvation come later? Thought this was a done deal. Technically, final judgment comes at the end. But Jesus’ resurrection gives us insight into what the verdict will be. Jesus’ life, death, resurrection pulls the verdict into our present, so we have confidence and “have been saved” “are “saved” but also “will be saved.” All three are found in NT.

And this isn’t just glorification. But anyway, all this because of Jesus, and all received through faith. And all mentioned for the sake of our current joy.

John 5:24-25

 ““I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the solemn truth, a time is coming – and is now here – when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.”

— ‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬-‭25‬‬

As with most of these constructions in John’s gospel and letters: “the one who” has present participles, which in these cases indicate generalities, lifestyles, consistent choices, however we want to phrase it. Not that the action is never broken or there’s no exceptions, nor that it can stop. In general, this is true all the time of this person. It continues.

“Has” “Has crossed” One is present, and one is perfect. The point is that the believer already has life. Eternal life is not a solely future idea. The insanity of Jesus’ ministry is that He brought the future kingdom/life/realm into the present. Confirmed by v. 25…is now here.

So is dead in v 25 physical or spiritual? Maybe another time in John where he loves double meaning.