Matthew 6.33-34 33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
– Jesus
If there is one word to be said about the Christian life,
and the Lord who is over it, it is this: counterintuitive.
The Christian life is counterintuitive. It’s not what we think. Even when we’re
immersed in it, it isn’t what we think.
I personally hold, the so-called, Sermon on the Mount, to
be one of the most difficult passages of Scripture for modern Christians. Why?
Because it was written to a Jewish audience that was living under the Mosaic
Law (with all of its then interpretations, amendments, re-writes, and
impossibilities). The stumbling block for us moderns: we’re not Jews under the Mosaic Law. So, when Christ addresses ‘legal’
issues to a then Jewish audience, and we try to interpret them as we think they
apply to us today, we (us) run into difficulties.
That being said, there is more to the sermon than Jesus
dealing with the Jews. Chapter 6 deals with, pretense, prayer, and practice. If one wants to be truly religious,
one has to talk the talk and walk the walk; it is way more than putting on a
show. True religion, said St. James, is to look after widows and orphans in
their need. No pretense there; just
the gritty underbelly of poverty, squalor and need. True religion is a happy willingness
to wade into that world, dumping endless resources into seemingly endless needs.
(Where God guides, God provides). Thank you Brent and Virginia; Phil and
Denise.
True religion also requires true prayer – which boils
down to simply communicating openly, honestly, and often (always) with God. God
knows what we need before we even ask Him, but the mystery and marvel is this: He wants to talk with us about it…
True religion requires also, true practice: there is a
God and I am not Him.
With all the difficulties of life – modern or ancient –
there is a calling upon the race of man to depend on God, over and above food,
clothing, and shelter. Looking after widows and orphans in their need also
requires helping them to see and believe God as their true and only Resource. Man
is limited, God is not.
Whether ancient Jew or modern Christian, seek first [God’s] kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. All what things? All of the things we spend
so much time and energy chasing after. Ancient or modern, Christian or Jew, we
all need God; all the time; every day. And God? All God asks is that we seek Him with an honest heart – in purpose, prayer, and practice. We do need to live and
God knows that; and promises to provide.
Counterintuitive? Yes. Simplicity? Yes. Heaven’s way? Yes.
Happiness forevermore? Yes.
Father, thank You
for the life to which You’ve called me; life that is so different than the life
I call normal. Help me to seek first, all the time, in honesty and truth, that
which is of utmost importance: YOU!
Thank You for providing all I need, and reminding me today of Who You truly
are! Amen
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