Matthew 6:25-34

“.. do not be anxious for your life..”.   This is one of the most difficult things for most of us, to not be anxious.. to not worry.. to not take thought of.. the essentials of life: food, clothing, shelter.. or anything else. 

But, Jesus tells us that our “Father knows”.. our Father cares.. our Father provides.  Our faith is so small sometimes.. so we let anxiety in… 

Jesus says that anxiety can’t feed us.  It can’t cloth us.  It can’t change our height or weight or the hair on our head. It only has power over us when we let it win over faith. 

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” (V33)  Seek- continually.. seek in order to find.. seek until the kingdom is foremost in your thoughts and desires.  Seek the Kingdom where Jesus reigns and rules.. where He provides every need.. where His plans and purposes fulfill every Word that He has spoken.  Seek that intimate relationship that is possible because He came.. He died.. and He rose again. 

Father in heaven,  in You alone to we find life.  You give us hope and peace and love.  You give us faith. Help us to have faith that trusts even when things don’t go as we want. Faith that Your plans are better. Thank You for providing all that we need today.  Thank You that tomorrow is in Your hands too.  May Christ be exalted as we seek Him with all our hearts today. In His name we pray. Amen. 

 Matthew6:1-24  "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men..."

Jesus says we must choose.. to serve God or to serve "mammon"... riches or wealth or any other master.  As God's children, followers of Jesus Christ, we have made that choice.  We are looking at life from a different point of view.. from God's perspective instead of man's.  Our character is being reformed and transformed by the Holy Spirit and even our "righteous" actions will be different than before. 

Jesus gives some examples of ways our religious practices must change to conform to the Father's will. 

The giving of alms is an important part of many religions.  Jesus taught that the right way to give is privately.. .in secret.  It is not something to flaunt before others to be notices and honored.  It is not something to do in order to receive a reward of any kind from others.  We give "alms".. gifts of mercy and compassion and charity.. with a heart of love.. even as our Father in heaven has given to us in our spiritual poverty. 

Prayer is without a doubt a vital part of religious life. But, it is not meant to be a show.  It is not something to do in a proud or pious way.  Jesus teaches us to come humbly before our Father.. in secret. It is a time of sweet communion with the God of peace and comfort, Who has seen our great need and desires to fill our hunger and thirst for  righteousness with His Presence. 

Prayer is not supposed to be just words.. it is meant to be meaningful.  It is a conversation and a connection with Almighty God.. our Father, who is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.  It is seeking Him and finding Him. It is remembering that He is the Life-giver and all things are in His hands and that He knows what we need.. It is about confession and repentance.. forgiveness and intercession. It is a Father and His child sitting together in a time of intimate fellowship. 

Fasting is another aspect of many religions. And once again we see how it has been and continues to be misused.  Jesus taught that we should fast secretly. No one else needs to be in on this.. it is between us and God . 

In verses 19-24 Jesus speaks about storing up treasures. We don't really consider this a religious  practice, but there are many who think that their blessings.. their wealth.. comes because of their "righteousness".  Jesus says that earthly treasures are corruptible... only treasures in heaven are lasting.  And, even more importantly.. "where your treasure is there will your heart be also." 

So, again we are confronted by the statement He makes in verse 24.. are we serving God.. in our giving, praying, fasting, and storing up of treasures?  Or are we serving ourselves?

Father in heaven, may Your Name be kept holy, may Your kingdom come, and may Your will be done! You are our provider.. of all that we need today. Have compassion on us once again we pray.  We praise and worship You. Amen. 

 Matthew 5:21-   Jesus said that He came to fulfill the Law.. "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished."  Jesus Himself will do what we cannot do.. He will perfectly finish or fulfill the Law. It will take a righteousness that " surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees"... it will take a righteousness that only comes by faith in Christ the Lord. 

Jesus illustrates His point with these examples that miss the mark of God's perfect Law. 

The Law forbids murder, of course, but God's perfect will looks at hatred and anger and spite.. and unforgiveness as just as much a sin.  

The Law condemns adultery but God in His holy will desires that no marriage be marred with infidelity of any kind. 

The Law calls for "an eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth.."  but what God desires for HIs children is a humble attitude that turns the cheek.. that forgives the persecuted.. that prays for the enemy. 

God's desire for His children is that we are so filled with His Spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord that we think and act and talk.. like Him. He wants us to love like He does. He wants us to be "perfect" as He is. 

Only Jesus can bring us into this perfection. Only His Spirit in us can bring us out of the law of sin and death and into the eternal life that Christ died to make possible.  

Father, once again we confess our poverty of spirit.. our lack of righteousness of our own and our great and desperate need for Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Fill us Spirit of God.. transform not just our minds and wills but our character.. that we  might truly be salt and light to this sin-filled world. We ask for Your power to live in the perfection of our Lord Jesus to the glory of Your holy Name.  amen.