Matthew 6:25-34

 Matthew 6:25-34

My heart is bad. Even as I am reading this passage my mind is racing about print supplies and appointments. "Will there be enough of what I need?" If that is not bad enough there is rebelliousness where my heart says, "Yes, that is good in theory but...” The problem is in me, in my sinful desire to clamor for release from the Lord’s provision and authority. I want to argue against God, to say what He gives is not enough, to find an excuse for indulging in my own selfishness. Smashing myself against rocks hoping the rocks will change makes even better sense than worry.

In the illustration of the birds and flowers Jesus is not advising idleness; rather, the lesser proves the greater. Jesus said if it is true of the less valuable and values then it will be true for the more valuable and higher values. If it is true of the less important, like the birds, then it is true for me. God cares for the birds, but they must pick up the seeds. Part of God’s provision is work, but I have to “pick up the seeds”.

People who do not know God as Father don't know the confidence of His care. But God knows me and He knows my needs. The Gentile worries about himself because he also worries about his gods (like the dog worries over a bone). The Gentile worries with unbelieving and aggressive prayers because his god is never a loving father. It is possible to relax a bit about "things".

Verses 33-34 offer a positive thought for the worried mind. Have you noticed that you cannot avoid thinking of pink elephants when someone says "pink elephants"? Jesus is wonderful, in His grace he gives us a positive to consider rather than the avoidance of a negative. Beyond “don't be anxious” He positively says, “seek the kingdom.” In the pursuit of the Kingdom, I can occupy my mind with thoughts that are not anxious. Worrying is nothing more than daydreaming about problems. Why not occupy the space in my mind with the dreams of the Kingdom?

"Lord, fill my mind so completely with the delights of Your Kingdom that there is no room left to worry about the selfish things of this world. AMEN"

Matthew 6:16-24

 Matthew 6:16-24

In verses 16 through 18 Jesus assumes that fasting is a part of the life of a disciple. As with prayers and alms giving the objective is God, not the praise of people. This passage is difficult. Sometimes it's difficult because of our pride and sometimes it's difficult because we love food. At every moment we can build plenty of excuses for food, low blood sugar for example, that allows us to make sure we have our daily treats. When do my appetites govern me? When I make excuses to satisfy them.

The attachment to material concerns and the priority of loyalty to God is the point of this passage. Treasures on Earth are not very secure. From vermin that can ruin to a housing market bubble that can burst, there are no fully secure treasures here on Earth. There are, however, no insecure treasures in Heaven. Nothing entrusted to God will ever be lost. This passage may refer first, but not exclusively, to alms giving. Wealth itself is not a problem; it is a loyalty to our wealth that is an issue. It does us no good to say I am loyal to God while at the same time we love our wealth. Our words can be cheap. Perhaps we should only keep that which we can walk away from. Not in theory, but in practice.

Our loyalty is what the fascinating verses 22 and 23 are all about. If we are able to have right perception concerning things then we are about to be generous. In contrast, the inability to see clearly the right priorities will lead us to love the wrong things and be selfish. There are varying degrees of darkness. No one is completely selfish though many come close and few are completely selfless, if there are any. Generosity and soundness of eye are clearly intertwined.

Growing amounts of possessions create growing temptations to be disloyal to God and instead we are tempted to be loyal to money. The danger may be less in the volume of our possessions than which direction possessions call us. When you get down to it my loyalty is dictated out of what I think, what I think I own, and what I think I have, and what I think I have accomplished. If we believe what we have is ours because of what we have done we tend to hold our things tightly. If my wealth is a gift from God I can more easily share it.

"Lord, in the midst of a highly materialistic and consumption based society give me clarity of sight so I can see if I am truly loyal to You. Grant to me Lord a heart of true repentance in all areas where I love you less than anything. AMEN."

Matthew 6:1:16

 Matthew 6:1-16

Acts of righteousness would be better-translated acts of purity. A disciple must never attempt to show off his righteous devotion. There is a world of difference between living a conspicuously good and godly life and attempting to gain a reputation for goodness and godliness. The difference is in the nature, the result and ultimately the reward.

The word “Hypocrites” has a double application. The first application is taken from the Greek word, which means actor: hypocrites are performing for an audience. Second, the word carries the meaning that there is insincerity in their actions.

The disciple wants no reward on earth. The Father is the only source for the reward the disciple desires.

As with the higher righteousness in the last chapter, the issue in regard to our prayer is our motivation. The Lord does not forbid public prayers, spontaneous prayers or personal prayers. All types of prayer are equally apt to become about us making a show rather than about the Father. The prayers that are forbidden are those that are mindlessly and repetitiously said. Reciting prayers is wrong if it is done without thought. Pagan prayers were said to be powerful because of the exact correct recitation. Since Jesus wants the heart, it is from our hearts that our prayers must come.

The use of the Lord's Prayer or the Model prayer was taught to the Disciples and is meant for the community of faith, not for the public in general. This prayer is beautiful in the way it focuses away from us and toward the Father. As with all of the parts of the disciple’s life, reinforced in this passage, our lives focus on God in our prayers, ethics, and worship. These are all about God. The more self-forgetful we are the better. In that self-forgetfulness we are able to be closer to God and what He wants us to be. In losing ourselves because we are focused on Him, we find a vitality of life that infuses every moment.

"Lord, remind me that in all aspects of my being a disciple it is about shifting the focus from me and onto You. AMEN"