The "Sermon on the Mount" by Henry Wolf, 1899. Smithsonian Art American Museum. Public Domain “But strive first for the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6: 33-34
This passage is part of what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching those close to him about how he wants them to live. This message wasn’t for everyone, but only for those who were willing to follow him, and risk going against the culture at that time.
This message offers all of us who are attempting to become a disciple of Jesus Christ guidance about where our focus should be. By stating that we are to strive first for the kingdom of God, it reminds us that our daily decisions should be made through the lens of God’s kingdom, and not the lens of the world. That is hard to do especially when there are so many worldly voices vying out for our attention.
During this time of the COVID-19 Crisis, there are certainly plenty of social barriers, governmental orders, family/personal concerns/needs----essentially many different voices/forces competing for our attention and energy. Today, it’s certainly very difficult to keep our hearts and minds on striving for God’s kingdom before all else. Additionally, at the same time taking our life one day at a time, and not worrying about tomorrow, and leaving the future in the hands of our Lord----is really trying for most of us.
However, that is what Jesus taught his closest followers, and what this passage continues to teach us today----even in this very uncertain time. May the Holy Spirit assist you in striving first for the kingdom of God before anything else, and leaving the tomorrow’s worries to our faithful and loving Lord! God bless you and your family now and always, and may you feel God’s love beside you on this ever-changing journey! Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
This passage is part of what has become known as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is teaching those close to him about how he wants them to live. This message wasn’t for everyone, but only for those who were willing to follow him, and risk going against the culture at that time.
This message offers all of us who are attempting to become a disciple of Jesus Christ guidance about where our focus should be. By stating that we are to strive first for the kingdom of God, it reminds us that our daily decisions should be made through the lens of God’s kingdom, and not the lens of the world. That is hard to do especially when there are so many worldly voices vying out for our attention.
During this time of the COVID-19 Crisis, there are certainly plenty of social barriers, governmental orders, family/personal concerns/needs----essentially many different voices/forces competing for our attention and energy. Today, it’s certainly very difficult to keep our hearts and minds on striving for God’s kingdom before all else. Additionally, at the same time taking our life one day at a time, and not worrying about tomorrow, and leaving the future in the hands of our Lord----is really trying for most of us.
However, that is what Jesus taught his closest followers, and what this passage continues to teach us today----even in this very uncertain time. May the Holy Spirit assist you in striving first for the kingdom of God before anything else, and leaving the tomorrow’s worries to our faithful and loving Lord! God bless you and your family now and always, and may you feel God’s love beside you on this ever-changing journey! Peace, Vernon T.
Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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