THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. Matt. 5, 6, 7 (39)

January 5, 2019

23-10-18

Key: SCHAFF: “When the Lord open his mouth, we should open our ears and hearts” 

ADMONITION AGAINST CARE ABOUT THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE, Matt. 6:25-34…2

Our Lord’s manner of teaching is remarkable for the frequency with which he draws illustrations from the objects of nature, the pursuit of common life, and the ordinary experiences of mankind. Ps. 104: 12 says, the fowls of the air sing and praise their creator. “If we were, by faith, as unconcerned about the morrow as they are, we should sing as cheerfully as they do for it is worldly care that mars our mirth and damps our joy, and silence our praise, as much as anything.” Mathew Henry

  1. Matt. 6:27 “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature.” The Lord continues on the fact that anxiety is unavailing. The word stature here, actually means age as in Jn. 9:21, Heb. 11:11 and Eph. 4:13. Ps. 39:5 says “Thou hast made my days as hand-breadths; and mine age is nothing before thee” It should be understood that all men eat to prolong their life. The object here is that we cannot add “a span of life and “a finger long day” to our age by being anxious about food. “We cannot alter the disposals of providence, and therefore must acquiesce in them, accommodate ourselves in them and relieve ourselves, as well as we can against inconveniences.” Mathew. Henry
  2. Matt. 6:28-30. “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet… Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But now if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown in to the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith”
    1. “The lilies of the field” like ‘the birds of the heaven’ are these which grow without human care, and thus all displaying the care of God Ps. 104:27. God provides for the inferior creatures without their labor Ps. 104:10, 11, 13, will much more provide for you, by blessing your labors. Ps. 128:1-3, Lev. 26:4-6, Deut. 28:3-6, Is. 65:21-23.
    2. “Solomon in all his glory”. That is in all the glory of his royal station, wealth, and fame which involve the use of beautiful garments. See 1Kg. 10:4-5. God care for these inferior creatures are so wonderful, that it supersedes that of Solomon.
    3. ‘If He clothes the grass of the field’
      1. All men are grass 1Pet. 1:24, Is. 40:6-8. All the glory of man will one day vanish, he will be laid to rest. Ps. 49:14.
      2. God preferred the children of Nineveh before the gourd Jonah. 4:10-11, if he clothe the short -lived grass, much more will he excellently clothe you that are made for immortality. 
    4. ‘O ye of little faith’ Matt. 8:26; 14:31; 16:8. This is distrust in God’s protection, providential or miraculous. Unbelief is the root of anxiety. See Matt. 8:5-10, Lk. 4:23-27.

It continues.