The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

Thoughts on the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5-7

Part 13

Worry causes us to make serious mistakes. We worry about being rejected, so we become people-pleasers. We worry about scarcity, so we stockpile, hoard, save, and prep. Saving up for something needed is wise, but hedging your bets against all possible contingencies is a lack of trusting God. 

Does God exist? Is God a God who cares? Is God active in our daily lives? Is God able to take care of us? Because God loves you and is your source of supply, you know you can trust God. God is Yahweh Yireh.

^6:26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 

Birds are active, working hard; they are not lazy. Everything they need is provided in nature. They take what they need, but they don’t hoard. Give us this day our daily bread. Fresh manna each morning.

^6:27 And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life? 

Many people treasure staying alive at all costs, so they live their lives in bondage to the fear of death. (see Heb. 2:15). Do not fear, God not only knows about each dying sparrow, God is with every dying sparrow (see Matt. 10:29). How much more will God be with you?

^6:28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 

Some people treasure how they look. Godly people radiate with spiritual beauty. Examine fine cloth and a flower under a low-powered microscope. The flower is exquisite. The fine cloth looks like burlap.

I imagine Jesus smiling as he coins a little phrase for his bumbling apprentices. He gives them (us) a loving nickname: oligopistos (ὀλιγόπιστος), “little-faiths.”

³¹ Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ ³² For it is the gentiles who seek all these things, and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 

Gentiles (ἔθνη, ethne) are people ignorant of YHWH. Our loving Father knows what we need, so become like a child, trust mommy and daddy YHWH to take care of you.

^6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Seek: pursue, chase after; place top priority in joining what God is doing and practicing doing right by God, others, creation, and yourself (dikaiosuné).

The Kingdom of the Heavens is the rule of God, the domain over which God is Lord, King, Ruler. We want all we are to be ruled by God. We want everyone to be ruled by God. We long for society to be ruled by God. 

But it doesn’t come through politics, elections, taking over school boards, banning books, passing laws, using force or coercion. It comes one person at a time influenced by others who radiate with self-sacrificial love. 

Valuing mammon, security, or acceptance leads to worry. Valuing God, life, others, truth, goodness, and justice produces shalom, harmony, authentic connectedness, peace.

To be free of worry:

• Know who God is
• Know who you are
• Surrender to and rely on God
• Pray contemplatively
• Promote justice, shalom, and wellbeing