Matthew 6:25-34 & 7:1-6
Q.1. What reason did Jesus give when telling us not to worry? Does God promise to give us all we want? What priorities should we develop through life? – (Mt.6:25-34)
Jesus laid down a crucial principle that is hard to practice – … Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? (Mt.6:25). He backed this up by reminding us to consider nature – the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Mt.6:26 & 28). Jesus argued that we are of more value to God than birds. He pointed out that Solomon’s attire could not compare with the beauty of the lily. He asked – Who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? (Mt.6:27). We must learn to trust our Heavenly Father ((Mt.6:30). Though the nations are caught up in the pursuit of material things, Jesus promised to provide us all we need (not necessarily all we want). He gave a better priority for those who follow Him, which is to – Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Mt.6:33). Each new day will bring new challenges and troubles (Mt.6:34). However, He promised His own – 29 …Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life (Mk.10:29-30).
Q.2. Why should we be reluctant to judge others? What should precede correcting others? What restriction did Jesus place on sharing truth with others? – (Mt.7:1-6)
We should be reluctant to judge, since God will treat us as we treat others – For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you (Mt.7:2). Jesus pointed out the common differential between the one judging and the one being condemned. We sinners are prone to judge ourselves lightly, and others harshly. Jesus reminded us that judgment will be more intense for those who judge others harshly. He described the hypocrisy of trying to take a splinter out of another person’s eye, when we have a log in our own eye – You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye (Mt.7:5). He suggested that there is a – time to be silent and a time to speak (Ecc.3:7). He expanded on Solomon’s observation – Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Mt.7:6).