We catch
todays scripture with the words of Jesus included with a bunch of words of
Jesus. We get this red-letter effect because Jesus had begun what we now call
the Sermon on the Mount. This didactic turned from homiletic to teaching at
some point but Jesus was doing all of the talking.
After
blessing and the receipt of blessings for many things that many people might
overlook and even discard as trials, Jesus began teaching on of variety of
topics.
As we enter
Chapter 6 of Matthew’s gospel, we see teaching on not making a show of doing
what’s right and giving to the poor.
These things are between you and God.
Don’t pray
and count it to your credit that you use some fancy words and can make the name
of God into a three-syllable word. Praying
is not for show.
Jesus even
gave those who were listening a model prayer.
And by the
way, don’t go all snowflake on me when you are fasting. You are growing nearer to God. Quit acting
like you are on the Batan Death March.
And when you
think of your treasures, think of treasure that will last. Think of doing the
will of your Father in heaven as making deposits in your heavenly account.
Then Jesus
sang the first round ever of Be Careful Little Eyes what you seen.
Jesus told
us that we can’t sit on the fence. Either we love God or we love his creation
more. It’s one or the other. Do we love God or do we love money and all it can
buy us?
Which brings
us to today’s scripture and the words of Jesus.
And his
words are—don’t worry. Don’t worry.
Can any of
you add one hour of life to your life by worrying about your life. Jesus said, we’ve got this life thing. Trust the Father in heaven. Trust me, and
before you know it, you will be able to trust a spirit that lives within you.
Don’t worry.
You don’t
see the birds worrying, do you? You don’t see the flowers growing anxious, do
you? Your Father in Heaven knows just
what they need and he knows what you need, so stop worrying about what you
think you need.
Why do we
spend so much time worried about what we will eat or drink or wear? Live for your relationship with God, not for your
relationship with the opinions of others or those of your stomach or your ego.
We might
say, “of course, I get that,” but living it—putting these words into
practice—gets much tougher in life outside of the pew you are now in.
Worry shows
up uninvited and makes itself at home.
Jesus is telling us not to give worry a home. He will take care of us.
This returns
us to a familiar place. It is our nature—our human nature—to worry. We are taught to trust but we practice worry. We worry
about things and events and outcomes that often don’t make a hill of beans in
the long run.
Our own
understanding wants to take charge and be in charge of our decisions and
countenance. Jesus said, don’t worry.
Don’t worry.
It sounds
easy but to truly rid ourselves of worry, we must trust God—not a little—but
with everything.
Jesus
returned to making comparisons with the pagans.
They worry about everything that they have or don’t have. They make some of the things that they desire
into their gods.
Jesus
challenges us to seek God and his kingdom and his righteousness before anything
else. The pagans seek after all of the
things of the creation. Jesus tells us
to seek the Creator instead and he will bless us with all the things that the
pagans have made into gods.
God wants us to have good things. He loves to give good gifts but he
must always be God. We must put all of our trust in him. We must choose
this day whom we will serve: God or his creation.
And what
about worrying about the future? Don’t do it.
Tomorrow
will have troubles of its own. You don’t need to claim them
today. Seek God and his kingdom and his
righteousness now and let God deal with tomorrow.
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not
on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make
you paths straight.
Some days
are going to seem better than others. The flu, the regular crud, and even the
common cold are allowed back on the once-dominated COVID scene. Jobs come and
go. Death and other losses happen.
Some days
are just tougher than others, but even those days are not cause for worry.
Our soul is
grasped firmly by the Lord.
He has a
room prepared for us.
We just need
to put his words into practice.
Even in this
life, he has promises for abundance and abundant life.
He has
promises of health and well-being.
He has good
plans for us.
Let us never
despair. Let us never lose hope. Let us live without worry, knowing that God is
in control.
Trust in the
Lord…
Amen.
