Your Question: Please explain Matthew 6, all verses. What does Jesus mean by that? Matthew 6 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus is teaching how his followers should live. This chapter is divided into 5 parts: 1. Verses 1 -4: giving to the needy. Many people in Jesus’ time, and even today, like everyone to know how much they donate to help others. In New Testament times, people were hired to blow trumpets or make an announcement so that people’s attention would be drawn to those who were about to make a donation. Jesus says that the praise they get from people is all the reward they will receive, but when we give to those in need or to the Lord we should do it secretly, so that no one else will notice. Jesus points out, that he will notice, and will reward us openly. 2. Verses 5 -15 are about prayer: people in New Testament times, and even today like to make lots of noise and ceremony about their prayers. Some people just repeat the same phrases over and over, some people just say whatever comes into their heads. Jesus tells us that most of our praying should be done privately, just between God and us. The Lord’s prayer is not necessarily a prayer we need to memorise and repeat, but a summary of how we need to pray – praising and worshiping God. Praying that his kingdom on earth will be established, and his will be done. Praying for our needs, asking for forgiveness, and protection against the evil one. Jesus finishes here by telling us the importance of forgiving those who wrong us; if we don’t forgive then he will not forgive us either. 3. Verses 16 -18 are about fasting: like the previous 2 headings, Jesus warns us that fasting is a private thing that we do before God, and not something to boast about so that everyone will praise us. God will reward us openly when we fast for him secretly. 4. Verses 19 – 24 are about treasures in heaven: Jesus is warning those who follow him about the dangers of collecting wealth and treasures on earth. At any time they can be stolen or destroyed. He is not saying that we shouldn’t have treasures, but that we shouldn’t become so focussed on them that we lose sight of God. For if our lives focus on them they will take over our hearts. Jesus recommends that we fix our heart on heaven, and spiritual treasures, because where our real treasure is, that is where our hearts will be. Money and wealth become like a master – if we are caught up with being rich and wealthy we will have no time for God, which is what Jesus warns, you cannot serve God and money/wealth, so if we are to be God’s people, put him first before anything else. 5. Verses 25 – 34 are about worry: do not worry about anything. People who do not know God can fill their days with worry, often about how they will find enough money to live on, and this becomes their focus. Jesus teaches that when we put him first, he will take responsibility for our food, clothes and shelter. Just as he cares for the birds and flowers, which are small and insignificant, so we can be confident that we are much more important to him than the birds and flowers, and as our Father will care for every need of ours fully, when we put our lives into his hands, and seek him and his will more than anything else.
Posted on: Sat, 03 May 2014 12:40:01 +0000
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