10-23-2021, 04:02 PM
Jesus continues hammering the Scribes and Pharisees. One of their biggest mistakes was something that the prophets condemned from at least as early as the Restoration: materialism. While the Babylonians weren't particularly materialistic, nor were the Persians and Medes, somehow the Judeans picked up on it and brought it with them back to Jerusalem. By the time of Jesus, it had become a solid doctrine that the primary mark of peace with God was material wealth. From several different angles, Jesus drives home the ancient Hebrew otherworldly orientation.
The Scribes and Pharisees had a legalistic rule about fasting two days per week, backed by a complicated system of reckoning (and then reasoning out exemptions, of course). The Covenant itself called for /one/ national day of fasting yearly on the Day of Atonement. Culturally, Hebrew people were supposed to fast during special occasions of great sorrow, and whenever some authority figure called for a ritual fast. The idea was humility and penitence before God; you are prepared to accept the worst, but are asking for relief. It's a demonstration of dependence on the Sovereign.
The Scribes and Pharisees would mark their fasting with scripted forms of neglect, so that everyone knew they were trying to be holy. Jesus said His Father wasn't impressed, regardless whether anyone else was. If you feel moved to fast, keep it to yourself. Aside from the day of Atonement, no one should have a clue except God.
Then He lowers to boom: Nothing of this world matters. Our existence in this world is temporary, and so is everything men typically treasure here. Set your heart on things that matter in Eternity. Keep your heart clear of any distractions like that. The famous comment about serving two masters, and the mention of Mammon as a deity of sorts, should continue to reverberate through to the End of Time.
So, Jesus continues telling His audience that they should not give much attention to living in this fallen world. It's just not worth worrying about when compared with Heaven. Don't get wrapped up in the needs of the flesh. If God can take care of the natural life on this planet, your natural body will be taken care of under the same protocols. And if you happen to actually care about God's commands, then you have the promise of things being even better. All this anxiety and hoarding of stuff, as if there is no God in Heaven watching over you, is insulting to His name. Worry hasn't enough power to give you any advantages at all.
The same with clothing. The Pharisees were notorious for fussing over the most expensive garments and the prestigious fashions of the day. Solomon was easily the wealthiest king in Israel's history, and his best finery didn't compare with wildflowers. If God has need of you in this world, He will provide what your physical body needs. Be faithful to the Covenant and God will provide, just as He promised. The Scribes and Pharisees acted like God's provision wasn't good enough. This made them little different from pagans.
The fashion of memorizing verse 33 is not a bad idea, but only if you take seriously what it says. It's a blunt call for the otherworldly mystical approach to life. God's favor is written on your heart, not in your bank account. Let God handle all the things that He doesn't put into your hands. Take one day at a time, and obey what the Lord puts in your convictions at the moment it comes to you. Let tomorrow worry about itself; you have more than enough to do being faithful right now.
The Scribes and Pharisees had a legalistic rule about fasting two days per week, backed by a complicated system of reckoning (and then reasoning out exemptions, of course). The Covenant itself called for /one/ national day of fasting yearly on the Day of Atonement. Culturally, Hebrew people were supposed to fast during special occasions of great sorrow, and whenever some authority figure called for a ritual fast. The idea was humility and penitence before God; you are prepared to accept the worst, but are asking for relief. It's a demonstration of dependence on the Sovereign.
The Scribes and Pharisees would mark their fasting with scripted forms of neglect, so that everyone knew they were trying to be holy. Jesus said His Father wasn't impressed, regardless whether anyone else was. If you feel moved to fast, keep it to yourself. Aside from the day of Atonement, no one should have a clue except God.
Then He lowers to boom: Nothing of this world matters. Our existence in this world is temporary, and so is everything men typically treasure here. Set your heart on things that matter in Eternity. Keep your heart clear of any distractions like that. The famous comment about serving two masters, and the mention of Mammon as a deity of sorts, should continue to reverberate through to the End of Time.
So, Jesus continues telling His audience that they should not give much attention to living in this fallen world. It's just not worth worrying about when compared with Heaven. Don't get wrapped up in the needs of the flesh. If God can take care of the natural life on this planet, your natural body will be taken care of under the same protocols. And if you happen to actually care about God's commands, then you have the promise of things being even better. All this anxiety and hoarding of stuff, as if there is no God in Heaven watching over you, is insulting to His name. Worry hasn't enough power to give you any advantages at all.
The same with clothing. The Pharisees were notorious for fussing over the most expensive garments and the prestigious fashions of the day. Solomon was easily the wealthiest king in Israel's history, and his best finery didn't compare with wildflowers. If God has need of you in this world, He will provide what your physical body needs. Be faithful to the Covenant and God will provide, just as He promised. The Scribes and Pharisees acted like God's provision wasn't good enough. This made them little different from pagans.
The fashion of memorizing verse 33 is not a bad idea, but only if you take seriously what it says. It's a blunt call for the otherworldly mystical approach to life. God's favor is written on your heart, not in your bank account. Let God handle all the things that He doesn't put into your hands. Take one day at a time, and obey what the Lord puts in your convictions at the moment it comes to you. Let tomorrow worry about itself; you have more than enough to do being faithful right now.