TEACHING NOTES Introduction Last week Jesus taught us not to store up treasures on earth, but to store up treasures in heaven. The main idea of that teaching is that spending your life storing up treasures on earth is equivalent to serving another god. So, last week we left off with Jesus’ statements, “No one can serve two masters/lords” and “You cannot serve God and Mammon.” This week, our passage begins with “therefore,” which connects these passages together. Apparently, storing up possessions is connected to worry, stress, and anxiety. ​ Matthew 6:25 ESV 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Therefore = This conjunction tells us that this passage is connected to the previous passage about storing up treasures. Storing up treasures on earth will keep you worried and anxious. Do not be anxious about your life = The Greek word translated “anxious” here is merimnao, which means to worry, to be apprehensive, or overly concerned. The Greek word translated “life” here is psyche, which refers to one’s physical existence or physical needs in this context. Jesus is saying that we should not be anxious about our physical existence or survival on earth. What is worry? Worry is basically fear driven by a false sense of the future. When we’re afraid or worried we are usually looking into the future, creating the worst possible scenario, then dragging that into the present as real. What should we do when we’re worried? ​ Matthew 6:26–27 ESV 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Look at the birds of the air = Jesus’ solution to anxiety about food (basic needs) is to look at the birds. The birds are not anxious about their survival. They also do not store up things in storehouses, yet they are well fed. Here, Jesus is contrasting how birds live with how we live. We store up an abundance of food and possessions, yet we are still worried. Are you not of more value than birds? = Jesus is asking us to think logically about how the Father operates. If God feeds the birds, He will surely take care of His children who are created in His image. Can worry add a single hour to your life? = Again, Jesus is asking us to think logically. Worrying about something fixes nothing. In fact, we now know that anxiety shortens our lifespan. ​ Matthew 6:28–30 ESV 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Why are you anxious about clothing? = In the first century, this most likely refers to have any clothes at all. But it is also likely that people back then worried about not having luxurious clothing as well. This speaks even into our culture of constantly worrying about what we will wear and trying to keep up with the trends. Consider the lilies = Jesus’ answer to anxiety about clothing is to look at the flowers of the field. Flowers are not working hard to spin yard, yet they are still beautiful. Flowers, like birds, are completely dependent on God’s management of their environment. Here’s the lesson: Realize that your are not independent and begin to trust God like your life depends on Him…because it does. When worried, look outside of yourself. Worry is an indication of being self-consumed. ​ Matthew 6:31–32 ESV 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. The Gentiles seek after these things = The Greek word translated “seek after” here is epizeteo, which means to desire something so strongly that you strive to attain it. Jesus is saying that people who don’t believe in the God of Israel are daily striving to gain for themselves what God already wants to provide. God’s people should not live like unbelievers. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all = If we believe that God is our heavenly Father, there is no need to stress ourselves out for things He promises to provide. We can rest by trusting the Father. When worried, look to the Father who knows all things. ​ Matthew 6:33 ESV 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness = THIS is the ultimate solution to worry and anxiety. When we are seeking some other kingdom, either a worldly kingdom or our own kingdom, we are guaranteed a life of worry/stress. But if we seek God’s kingdom as our top priority, then we can leave worry behind. All these things will be added to you = The Greek word translated “added” here is prostithemi, which refers to something added or continued that already exists. Therefore, Jesus is saying that when we seek His kingdom first, God will continue to provide for our needs. So, there is no need to be worried. Our kingdoms require us to worry and stress to make it work. God’s kingdom allows us to trust that He will make it work. ​ Matthew 6:34 ESV 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Do not be anxious about tomorrow = Jesus is just as clear here as He was when He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matt. 6:19). Apparently, Jesus actually believes that you can literally stop worrying about things that haven’t happened yet. The issue is whether or not we believe Jesus. Tomorrow will be anxious for itself = How can tomorrow worry? Jesus is using a figure of speech here that is explained by the last line, “Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” There is enough going on today that needs your attention. It would be illogical to spend this day worrying about the next one that isn’t here yet. In other words, worry is a waste of the time you have now to focus on the time you don’t have yet. Worrying about tomorrow robs us of today. Later in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells us how to find rest from worry... ​ Matthew 11:28–30 ESV 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” I will give = Notice that Jesus is making a promise. If we come to Him continually, He guarantees that He will give us rest/peace. Rest = Grk. anapauo - to gain relief and become settled or secure. In the Hebrew mindset this would be shabat or Sabbath, which means to stop or cease striving. If we continually come to Jesus, we can experience an increasing reality of rest and will become less interested in stressful striving to make things happen. Rest for your souls = The Greek word for “souls” here is psyche, which is the innermost part of a person. Therefore, Jesus is promising us inner rest where our thoughts and emotions are at peace. My yoke is easy, my burden is light = Religion is both hard and burdensome. Seeking Jesus and His kingdom is not difficult nor burdensome. Once we understand that we give up the stress and worry about building our own little kingdom, we will realize that seeking God’s kingdom is far better and leads to a much better life. Conclusion As we end our time together today, let’s bring our burdens to Jesus. Trade your burdens for His rest. Trade your heaviness for His peace.