Monday 1 July 2024
He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.” (v. 22)
Background
It is a common occurrence in the Bible for God’s messengers to tell people not to worry; not to be afraid. The purpose is to encourage a life of trusting in God (where the word ‘trust’ is often the same as ‘believe’ or ‘have faith’). At the same time, the Bible is realistic about the challenges and dangers people face, and indeed the persecution and trials God’s people can expect. Jesus was very aware of this as he spoke to his disciples, as was St Paul. God’s people are not usually to be miraculously spared from hardship or pain. But the key to ‘not worrying’ is found in an ever-deepening relationship with the living God.
This particular passage comes amid a series of teachings, warnings and parables of Jesus, which Luke places on Jesus’ way to Jerusalem. There is a sense of journeying in Luke’s Gospel – towards Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus has already ‘set his face towards Jerusalem’ (in chapter 9) where he will reach the climax of his own work and ministry as God’s anointed Messiah-king. But it will be a mission of much pain and sacrifice.
Out of context, this popular passage on its own seems almost light and trivial.You could imagine it accompanied by a Disney song: Hakuna Matata ("No worries!"). Friendly images of birds and lilies in the fields could lead to the sense that the Christian should breeze through life, and not concern themselves with the worries of this world.
Rather, I think this teaching is aimed at those who would accept the cost of discipleship – which can be a hard road. (In The Lion King, Simba realised that life could not all be Hakuna Matata and faced up to his responsibilities for the sake of the others.) When we are striving for the kingdom of God (v. 31) then certain things should matter a lot! Matters of justice, defending the poor and vulnerable, preaching God's kingdom in word and deed… all of these things are to be concerned about in this world. However, questions such as what we should wear or eat, should not be things to worry about (and certainly we should not be striving for the best food or clothes). We should believe that God will provide life’s essentials. It’s an invitation not to waste time worrying, but to trust in God and put our energy into God's work.
Of course when people are denied basic essentials such food and clothing, a home or opportunities to work, then something has gone fundamentally wrong. God has ordered the world such that it should work for all creation. We should strive towards social justice and through that God will provide.
Jesus has inaugurated the kingdom of God on earth. As we strive for that kingdom, through our action, sacrifice and toil, God doesn’t want us to be mentally distressed, but to live in a trusting relationship that even wins through death.
To Ponder:
- How easy or difficult do you find it to trust God for your needs?
- How often do you give up your worries to God and name them in prayer?
- What does it mean for you to strive for the kingdom of God?
Bible notes author: The Revd Andrew Murphy
A Methodist presbyter in the East Mercia Circuit, Andrew is currently the minister of Harborough, Kibworth and Daventry churches. Married to Emily, with two children, aged eight and ten, he has been in the ministry for 16 years, previously serving in the Hinckley Circuit. A published hymnwriter, he trained at the Wesley Study Centre in Durham, supports Newcastle United FC, and is proud of his roots in Consett, County Durham.