And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life: what you shall eat, not about your body, what you shall put on.
"For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
"Consider the ravens: They neither sow, nor reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn; and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?
"And which of you, by being anxious, can add a cubit to his span of life? If then you are unable to do so small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
"Consider the lilies, how they grow: They neither toil nor spin. Yet, I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
"But if God so clothes the grass which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown in the oven, how much more will He clothe you, oh men of little faith?
"And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink; be not of anxious mind. For all the nations of the world seek these things; and your Father knows that you need them. Instead seek His kingdom; and these things shall be yours as well."
4 comments:
Is this anything but utterly simple & true?
Do you dare to seek such a kingdom?
Simply put, isn't this one of the reasons to go before God quietly? If one believes in an omnipotent and omniscient God one's needs and cares are already known to Him, yes?
Yes.
And Daniel Synder says that one night he got really pissed at God: re all the people who were suffering & doing each other harm, not to mention themselves. And/or coming to grief from various dangerous toys strewn about this world.
He says God made him to understand that He was glad Daniel cared, (& yes, He was working on the problem!)
Maybe: "Sometimes quietly, sometimes crying out!" ?
Jesus also suggests that people pray for "our daily bread." Tells stories with a "squeaky wheel" theme. (That whole "prayer: What's it for?" issue could be a long conversation!)
"Fuss not!" Maybe that's what he's saying?
Yes, the key is in the last line quoted: "seek His kingdom; and these things shall be yours as well." So what is this kingdom? It's not the earthly kingdom he was thought to be trying to overthrow, an accusation that got him executed. It is the Kingdom that is among (or within per note in NRSV; Luke 17:21) you. So what did Jesus mean by the Kingdom? Too big a question for here; suffice it to say he told us to repent of our old (self centered) ways and live a life centered in love, love of God and love of neighbor (including the detested Samaritans). Love is the counter to the anxieties of the world.
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