Today’s Reading:
Luke 12:22-31
“Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” (v. 31)
In the previous verses before our main text, Jesus was addressing a man who reported his brother to Jesus that he should tell him to divide the property equally between them. Jesus concluded by saying that the life of a man does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses. That discussion led Jesus to talk about seeking God’s Kingdom first. In verse 22, he addressed the disciples, meaning that the passage before us is talking to followers of Jesus; it’s not addressing those outside the fold. The first warning is that they should not be anxious. To be anxious means to be characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind, eagerly desirous, showing anxiety, to be troubled, having unquiet mind. Anxiousness brings fear, restlessness and could even breed doubt which may lead to faithlessness. Jesus sees it as something cancerous in the life of a child of God which necessitated the command; “Do not be anxious”. Anxiety takes the eyes of a disciple off the master, and this will lead to sinking in the ocean of life just as Peter sank when Jesus called him to walk on the water.
One can say that the three basic necessities of life are the things Jesus was addressing which are: food, clothing and shelter when compared with other biblical references. These three are necessities that we need on daily basis, but Jesus said do not be worried about them. He now started pointing our attention to the things of life that humans are better than them, yet they never lack the basic things of life. The stingiest bird in the world, which is ravens, God takes care of them. The lilies of the field don’t toil or spin, yet they are not forgotten in the programme of God. Even the wisest and richest king that ever lived cannot be compared with the natures. Grass also caught God’s attention by taking care of them too.
He went ahead to say that the nations of the world are also seeking those things. As much as those things are important, Jesus said that your father knows that you need them. That is a crucial matter. Do you have a relationship with the heavenly father? If yes, let me tell you that He knows that you need those things. All you need to do is to ask him and he will provide. Jesus concluded that the only thing a disciple should seek (pursue, run after, search, strive for) is God’s kingdom. Why? All other things are ephemeral (fleeting), but the kingdom of God will last forever. Are you a seeker? If there is anything you need to seek that will take you far beyond this terrestrial is the kingdom of God. Shall we pray?
JAMES ALADE
Prayer Points
Father, forgive me for running after the mundane things, instead of the kingdom matter, in Jesus name.
Whatever that is taking the place of the God’s kingdom in my life, give way, in Jesus name.
I receive grace to seek nothing but the Kingdom of God henceforth, in Jesus name.
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