What, Me Worry?

Matthew 6:25-34

If I didn’t know better I might think that Jesus was talking directly to the people of Israel as they made their way along the path of the Exodus. “Therefore,” he says, “do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’” (Matthew 6:31). Food and water, of course, were major points of contention between the people and God, with Moses caught right in the middle. Ultimately God provided manna and quails as food for the people (Exodus 16:13-15), and water from the rock at Massah (17:5-7). Did the people of God not learn from this experience to trust God for all of their needs? Jesus seems to think not.

For decades the character Alfred E. Newman has graced the pages of Mad Magazine along with his personal slogan, “What, me worry?” Is it possible that Newman has caught the meaning of Jesus’ words? Is it possible that we, too, should adopt a “what, me worry?” attitude in life? Certainly, as far as our trust in God is concerned we must learn to rely on our Creator by whose hand we are continually guided and cared for. If we have learned anything from our history it should be that God is with us and is ready to offer what we need. Jesus’ advice is to quit asking, “What will eat or drink?” and to start affirming, “What, us worry?”

Prayer: Lord help us to give up our worrying about the future and to trust you to provide for us as you have provided for your people all along. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Who Are You?

Jeremiah 23:1-8

Romans 8:29-39

John 6:52-59

From a Christian perspective each of our readings for today offers insight into the identity of Jesus Christ, who he is in relation to the world and to the people of God. The prophet Jeremiah tells us, “The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch… And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness’” (Jeremiah 23:5,6). As an ancestor of David and a king of the Davidic line, Jesus embodies the righteousness that God wills. To meet the need of Israel for a good shepherd, one who cares for the flock, God will produce one who lays down his life for others.

Paul adds to this picture of Christ’s nature. “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:33-35). In Paul’s terms it is Jesus who has bridged the chasm between humanity and God. The one who is willing to die for us is also the one who holds us close and does not let go. How can we be condemned if we are loved by the one who judges?

But more than dieing for us, and more than saving us from condemnation, Jesus promises those who believe in him a share in his resurrection. Comparing what he offers to the manna God provided in the wilderness, Jesus says, “This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live for ever” (John 6:58).

Scripture gives us many, many more ways to characterize Jesus. But these three are significant. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s righteousness who holds God’s people close and who offers himself to them along with a place in the coming reign of God. Thus we are blessed by the presence of God’s word in our midst.

Prayer: God, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ and for the love and grace that he shares with us. Amen.

A Healthy Diet of Understanding

Jeremiah 3:6-18

In one way or another each of the readings for today deals with the problem of human sinfulness, but I find a verse in Jeremiah to be especially timely for the season of Lent. God tells the prophet, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15). There is a lot to deal with in this short verse. The word shepherds in this case refers to kings or rulers. That a ruler would be “after (God’s) own heart” indicates that they are faithful to God’s will. But God says these rulers will “feed you (the people) with knowledge and understanding,” and that’s the part that I find helpful today.

According to the gospel of Matthew, after Jesus had fasted for 40 days in the wilderness he was famished. Then the devil challenged him to turn stones to bread so that he might have food to eat. Jesus replied, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4). This is a direct quote from Deuteronomy 8:3, a reference to the manna on which the people fed during the Exodus. The manna was real, a sign of God’s grace. But it pointed to the need to trust God and to listen for God’s word each and every day. One may be well-fed physically, but starved spiritually. In replying to the devil Jesus make the point that spiritual food is every bit as important to a healthy life as bread. Which brings us back to Jeremiah. The rulers of Judah and Israel had not attended to the spiritual needs of the people, had not led them to lives of faithful obedience to God. The people were starving from a lack of “knowledge and understanding.” God promised to change that.

The season of Lent reminds us of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. At this time of year it is important to examine our spiritual “diet,” to be as attentive to it as we are to what we eat. Without the “knowledge and understanding” of God’s word we are left malnourished and unable to live as we should. I challenge us all to be aware of what we consume spiritually so that we may live with faith and trust in God and in love and patience with one another. Bread alone won’t do it. We need God’s word as well.

Prayer: Lord, feed us with your word so that we may do your will. Amen.