Christ says in this portion of his Sermon on the Mount that even the Gentiles seek food, drink, clothing, and shelter from their creator. Therefore, he tells his disciples that those who would acknowledge him to be the only Son of God do not seek from the Lord what the Gentiles do. He teaches that the Lord supplies to meet our needs, so we are to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all things will be added to us.
For God even preserves the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. God, as the creator of all things, gives to all his creation. Although the birds and plants are part of God’s handiwork, the Son of God has not come to redeem and save them; yet, He does not forget their needs either. As birds are able to feed and build nests for their young, and the plants are given all they need to produce flowers and seeds, how much more does the Lord desire to do for mankind, the purpose of his creation?
As man and woman are created in the image of God, is not our life more than food and the body more than clothing? Yes, of course. Our Lord does not tell us to ignore the needs of the body. Instead, he tells us that life is more than just the body. For we are created with a body and a soul. A body that is preserved by the creator and the soul that desires to know and love its creator.
To those whom he has elected to faith, we are to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness. By faith, we have a higher calling. This calling is to put our trust in God, not only in the things needful for the body, but also for the soul. The Lord does not give us needs or desires that he does not plan to fulfill and satisfy. Just as He created all things on the Earth to be put under submission to man, and to satisfy his needs. God gives us spiritual yearning so that He may satisfy us and put our trust in Him.
While humans have hunger, it can only be calmed by food that fills the stomach. It is for this reason that God created food, knowing that man would be hungry. So too, we possessed desires of the spirit, which can only be satisfied in a spiritual way. In other words, man desires to be satisfied and filled with God. Each of us longs for God. For we all know that we have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We know in ourselves that we are incomplete. Spiritual hunger is felt when our souls become restless, doubting that God can forgive our sins. When we still carry the pain of being sinned against, even long ago. When we have sinned against someone and they do not want to forgive us, no matter how many times we try. Or when we grieve the sins and atrocities of this world. These are times of spiritual hunger and distress, only to be cured and relieved by the Word of God.
It is for this purpose that the Son of God, who is the Word of God, takes on human flesh and blood. The same flesh and blood that has suffered upon the cross, paying the penalty of our sins. And by his suffering, agony, and death, he knows how we suffer from the spiritual hungers of this world. As our Lord says from the cross, “I thirst.” This is for our salvation, as He suffers in both body and spirit. As we are rejected by the world for holding to the truth that Christ is the Son of God, so was he. As we are despised for loving those who hate us, so was he. As we are ridiculed for speaking forgiveness, so was he
For in the death of Christ, he does not only suffer for you, but he suffers in and among you. Even as you endure torment and temptation, loss and pain, distress and worry, Christ, the crucified Son of God, does not leave you or forsake you. For he is in his word. He comes to you in prayer. And he is in your fellow Christians who are there to support you and console you. Therefore, cling to where Christ has promised he would be, and your spiritual hunger will be satisfied. As the Lord has not left you hungry and without shelter, he will neither leave you helpless and afraid.
As long as we still live in the world, anxieties will persist. This you already know a great deal. Worries about new health concerns and whether insurance will cover these expenses. Worries about money, choosing to be late on the mortgage or the utilities, or whether your retirement savings will outlive you. Worried how our families will manage if we move or pass away. You will have a God who, despite your worries about this life, still graciously provides for you. In times of drought, when it seems that the blessings of the Lord have run out, we still reach into our jars and find enough flour and oil for the day.
Knowing the Lord has laid out all these things needful, Christ says, “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.” The number of our days is in the hands of the Lord, for our anxiety cannot add a single hour to our life, so put trust in the Lord. If he plans to give you tomorrow, he will also supply you with everything necessary to live out the day. And our Lord has promised this for all the tomorrows that will come.
The Lord does not give you all things necessary for this life so that he may abandon you. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. By his word and sacrament, which are true food that comes down from heaven, you are not only filled until you are hungry again, but you are satisfied. And his salvation is your clothing that never tatters or stains. Your salvation has been sealed in the blood of Jesus Christ, and on the last day, when he raises you up, he will clothe you with new robes that will shine and never fade as you are in the presence of God forever. And at the table of the Lord, there will be no more need or want, hunger or shortage.
As this is our certain hope, the Lord bestows every blessing of body and spirit for this life and the life to come. Anxieties cannot remove us from the grace of God. The Lord has provided for you thus far. He will see you through. And for those who seek him, he will bestow on you all things, including his kingdom and his righteousness.
St. John's and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Parish 