MARCH 23, Matthew 6:25, 33

All of us love ourselves. We value our own lives. We also love our own bodies. We eat and drink to nourish ourselves. We sleep to replenish our energy. We exercise to keep fit and stay healthy.

But the Lord Jesus in Matthew 6:25 says, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”

The Lord Jesus is saying in Matthew 6:25 that we should not be anxious about our physical needs i.e. food, drink, clothing, etc. The Lord Jesus is not saying that these physical needs are not important. We need these necessities for our daily lives. What the Lord Jesus means is we do not have to worry about these physical needs.

To the people during the time of Christ, physical needs were very important to them. Many of them were poor. They lived on what they could earn each day. If they did not work that particular day, they and their families would go hungry. In fact, many people in those days were also fearful for their livelihood for they were living under Roman rule and not treated well by their Roman masters.

Why does the Lord Jesus tell the people not to be anxious about their physical needs? In Matthew 6:33, the Lord Jesus says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The Lord Jesus promised to supply all their physical needs. He does not want them to worry. Instead, He wants them to seek first the kingdom of God. This means the Lord Jesus wants them to seek after the things that are spiritual. This includes studying the Word of God, obeying God, living holy lives, sharing the Gospel with others, etc. Things that are spiritual are more important than earthly things.

Thought: May I learn to trust God to provide for my needs!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me not to worry about physical needs. Help me instead to seek after Thee and obey Thee. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.