The Sermon on the Mount is composed of the highlights of Jesus’ teachings as he “began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people” (Matthew 4:23, CSB). He articulates carefully to the crowds a new way of living that is counter-cultural to their own understandings.
Embedded in Matthew 6 is the famous passage warning against simmering in anxiety, worrying about the cares of the world. It mentions God’s provision of food, shelter, and clothing – these tangible needs that all of creation can’t escape.
But what if Jesus was getting at something more than these? What if spiritual maturity, emotional endurance, relational humility were all needs that our good Father in Heaven sees and provides for as well? Jesus begins this section by saying “Do not be anxious about your life.” We know that our lives do not only consist of physical needs. His sustaining power goes far beyond that – every little detail is seen and covered by God. He knows that the aches of our hearts are just as important as the pangs of our stomach or shivers felt by the cold.
As Jesus draws our attention to all this, He distinguishes those living apart from God as those who worry (v. 32). Followers of Jesus are instead told to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” If we first follow the life laid out for believers right here in the sermon on the mount, if we listen and discern the Holy Spirit’s direction, if we are “kingdom minded” instead of “earthly minded,” then wedon’t have to worry. He has provided a cure. We are to be concerned about the state of faith, and He will sustain our being.
Let us take just a moment to evaluate our own faith. Are the worries of this world paralyzing and distracting you from being fully invested in bringing the Kingdom down to earth? (Here are a couple parables for that: Matthew 13:3-23; 13:47-51.) Do you believe that Jesus means what He says? Are you taking Jesus seriously, allowing His word to dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16)?
We can choose to live today seeking the Kingdom of God, the righteousness of Jesus, and trusting that He is holding the rest.