Jesus says, “Do not be anxious.” He repeats this three times. In fact, the word “anxious” appears six times in our Holy Gospel for today. The Greek word is merimnate which can also be translated as “worry.” When we are anxious, we worry about something in the future.
What do you worry about? Do you worry about your health? Do you worry about finances—having enough money to pay bills or tuition? Do you worry about family conflicts or strained friendships? Do you worry about your job? Do you worry about your education in high school or college? Do you worry about rising crime and violence in our society? Do you worry about your aging parents? Do you worry about your children?
Because we have a sinful flesh, it’s so easy for us to worry about this and that. Worry is part of our fallen life. It happens all the time. Yet, worry accomplishes nothing. It only drains us of time and energy.
It is as if God said, “Do not worry. I created you in my own image. I redeemed you. You are mine. I forgive your sins. I freely give you life and salvation by means of the cross and open tomb. I give you with daily bread, food, and clothing. So, trust in Me.”
Jesus asks the question, “Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” The answer is yes. Your life in Christ is more important than food and clothing.
Jesus asks another question, “Are you not more value than the birds of the air?” The answer is yes you are. The birds don’t worry about what they will eat, yet our heavenly Father feeds them. How much more will He provide for you! God knows your needs and will supply them. You are far more precious to Him than the birds. You are his baptized lamb, redeemed with the blood of Christ.
Jesus asks another question, “Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” The answer is none of us can add one hour to our day. We may wish for an extra hour to finish our work, but worry cannot lengthen our days.
Jesus asks another question, “Why are you anxious about clothing? 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?” The answer is yes He will. The lilies and the grass don’t worry about what they will wear. Our heavenly Father clothes them in a beautiful dress. How much more will God care for you! God knows your needs, and He will provide. After all, you are more important to God than the lilies and the grass of the field. You are his baptized lamb, redeemed with the blood of Christ.
Jesus said, “For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” In other words, the pagan Gentiles do not believe in the one true God. They chase after idols, and they trust in themselves. But you are different. You believe that God created you and redeemed you with the blood of Christ. So, let the world know that you are different. Let them see that you trust in your heavenly Father to provide for what you need. We view material things differently than the unbelieving world. Our material things are only temporary. Eternal life is our real home. Through faith in Christ, we have a peace which the world does not have. We need not worry, because we know that God hears our prayers and that He will provide for all our needs.
Food and clothing are important for us, but they are not our master. They do not control us. We trust that God will bless us with a sufficient welfare to provide food and clothing for the body. God will continue to care of us.
If you are in need, then pray. If you are unemployed, then pray trusting that God will provide work. If you are in need, then pray for God to send a Good Samaritan to help you.
We will not always get what we want, but God will always supply us with what we truly need.
Yes, money, food and clothing are important, but faith in Christ matters more. Bread for the body is necessary yet faith in Christ – our Bread of Life – is far greater. Therefore, seek first the kingdom of God above all else, for life and salvation in Christ is our highest concern.
We just sang a very beautiful hymn, “What God Ordains is Always Good” (LSB 760). It was written by Samuel Rodigast, a Lutheran pastor in the 17th century. I encourage you to sing it often especially during days of trial and tribulation. The first stanza goes like this:
What God ordains is always good: His will is just and holy.
As He directs my life for me, I follow meek and lowly.
My God indeed
In every need
Knows well how He will shield me;
To Him, then, I will yield me.
The author is basically saying, “Yes, life is hard and difficult. Yet, I will not curse God. God is good and faithful. He is gracious and merciful. He will help me get through my various trials and tribulations. He will lead and I will gladly follow.”
Erika Kirk said during her public address following her husband’s assassination, “Our world is filled with evil, but our God … is so good. So incredibly good, and we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good.”
So also, for us. Things may not go our way. Living in a fallen world, things may even happen outside of our control, yet we will not curse God. Rather, we will trust that he will carry us through out difficulties and give us faith to trust in Him.
Let’s look at the life of Christ. Jesus trusted in His heavenly Father. He devoted His life to serving the will of His heavenly Father. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness to worship and to trust in Satan, Jesus said, “No.”
Jesus never worried about food. When there was no food, He simply multiplied enough bread and fish to feed the over five thousand. When Jesus went into the home of Martha and Mary, Martha worried about the food and preparations. But the Word that proceeded out of the mouth of Jesus was the most important food.
Jesus never worried about food or clothing. As He traveled during his three years of ministry, someone always provided for Him and His disciples.
Jesus never worried about water. One day He was thirsty, so He asked a woman at a well for a drink. Jesus was thirsty but bringing this woman to saving faith was more important. Eventually she believed that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Jesus was more concerned about the woman’s faith than a drink of water.
Buying land and building an earthly home was of no importance to Jesus. Instead, the cross was his goal. It was his mission, and he was faithful in going to the cross.
Why did Jesus die upon the cross? He died as a righteous sacrifice for our sin of anxiety and worry. Jesus made the payment for sin that we cannot make. Jesus bore the wrath of God upon the cross in our place and on our behalf. Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death even death upon the cross.
Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead. There is now reconciliation with our heavenly Father. There is peace with God our Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. There is now the forgiveness of sins for sinners like you and me.
What shall we wear? We wear the robe of Christ’s righteousness which was given to us in the waters of Holy Baptism. Yes, we are still sinful by nature, but outwardly we wear the righteousness of Christ.
What shall we eat? This morning, we are fed with the Word of God. It enters our ear and is planted in the heart by faith. This Word is living and active. The word in Holy Absolution bespeaks us righteous. It removed our sin as far as the east is from the west. In preaching we hear both law which shows us our sin, and we hear Gospel which shows us our Savior. Because of Christ, there is peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He forgives you all your sin. In Christ you have everything. In Christ you have a peace which money, clothing and food can never give.
What shall we eat and what shall we drink here at the altar? We eat the body of Christ along with a small wafer of bread. We also drink the blood of Christ from the cup given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
Dearly beloved, by God’s grace, seek first the kingdom of God and the righteousness of Christ. Make worship the highest priority in your life and food and clothing will be added to you as well.
Romans 8:32 asks the question, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not also freely give us all things?” The answer is yes. In other words, if God is able to raise His Son from the dead, surely, He can provide for our needs. Our text puts it this way, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (namely, food and clothing) will be added to you.” Even if we are in need, God will make sure that all things will work together for our good for those who love Him who are called according to His purpose.
With Jesus as your Shepherd, you shall not be in want. You will lack nothing. He will give you food among the green pastures and drink along the still waters. But more importantly, Jesus will be your bread for eternal life.
By God’s grace, you do not let worry be your master, but you trust in God alone.
What God ordains is always good:
This truth remains unshaken.
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
I shall not be forsaken.
I fear no harm.
For with His arm.
He shall embrace and shield me:
So to my God I yield me.
Amen.
