Let me share some nuggets I reread from Scripture this week. Jesus taught his disciples precious truths and drew amazing lessons from his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7).
Jesus said, for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21). He then went on to say that we can determine where a person’s heart really is by examining his eye and also determining who the person loves wholeheartedly as his master (Matthew 6:22-24). A healthy eye reflects clear light, whereas an unhealthy eye sees everything as darkness! The person who loves money will be governed by his love for wealth but a person who loves God alone will be mastered by God!
In the light of these two analogies, Jesus commanded his disciples not to be anxious about food, clothing or any of their basic needs because their Father in Heaven cares for them and will lovingly provide for all their needs.
Jesus then beckoned his disciples to look around them and see how the birds of the air and the grass and flowers in the field are so well taken care of by the God who created the heavens and the earth and everything in it (verse 26, 28-29).
In the light of God’s loving care and provision for all his creation, humanity, made in his image, is far more valuable than these other creation. Three times Jesus commanded them – “Do not be anxious….(verses 25, 31 & 34). Instead of being so anxious like the non-believers, the disciples of Jesus are challenged to put their trust in their heavenly Father, who knows all about what they need and will supply them according to his bountiful riches!
Jesus commands his disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (verse 33). This command is still binding upon every disciple of Christ.
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount in chapter 7:24 with an analogy and a vital lesson. In verses 24 & 25, Jesus said, everyone who hears these words of mine (all that he has taught) and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. But the people who hear Jesus’ words but do not obey them are likened to a foolish man who built his house on sand. When the rains, floods and winds come, the house that is built on the sand will collapse (verses 26 & 27).
We will all face different kinds of storms in our lives and they will come when we least expect them. But if we have been faithfully grounding our lives on the solid truths of God’s Word, have been placing our confidence on who our God is, and are continuing to grow in our love and devotion to him, we will not be unduly anxious. Unlike the non-believers who have no hope and no God, we have the Creator-God who is also our loving heavenly Father! Therefore we can find quiet rest and confidence in him, even in the midst of a great tempest.
So beloved alumni, let us hold fast to our faithful God who remains constant through all the seasons of life. Let us hold fast to his unchanging and eternal Word that is our source of Nourishment and unshakeable Anchor.
Together we love and serve this faithful God!
Blessings and peace to all of you,
