Jesus carried our sorrows on the cross
Series: EIFACH muetig – with Jesus as a role model | Bible text: Matthew 6:25–34
Worries have the potential to drag us down and rob us of our strength. That is why we consciously bring our worries to Jesus on the cross during this Holy Week. He bore our suffering on the cross so that we are free to orientate ourselves towards the kingdom of God. Jesus gives us the strength to bring the kingdom of God into this world.
I’ve been working in field sales for a good two years now. It’s a very varied job. I often think it’s the best job in the whole company. I enjoy the freedom I have, I don’t have to keep track of my time, I can plan my working days independently and I’m out and about. I also get to bring customers presents or invite them to a nice meal, and I don’t miss out either. However, there is hardly any other job that is as rewarding as that of a salesperson. At the end of the day, it’s all about sales. Bonus targets are often in the double-digit range. Today’s profits become tomorrow’s problem. What was sold last year is yesterday’s news. Stress, worries about bonuses, worries about survival. The fear of losing an important customer, the worry that an offer or tender will not be accepted. All it takes is one mishap by a fitter and the customer is gone. Complaints, branch closures, company closures, company mergers or a recession become stressful.
Life is full of worries, which often begin early in our lives. Exam nerves, school grades, beauty ideals and heartbreak are just the beginning of the list. A trend study in Germany from 2023 reveals the worries of 14–29-year-olds. 65% of young people are worried about inflation, 54% are concerned about expensive housing and 48% are worried about poverty in old age.
Today’s Bible text from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew is also about worry.
«I say to you: Do not worry Worries about what you need to eat and drink to live and what you need to clothe your body. Isn’t life more important than food, and isn’t the body more important than clothing?» (Matthew 6:25 New Testament).
In the short section of ten verses we are looking at today, the term Care six times.
«Look at the birds! They sow not, they Harvest They do not gather provisions, and yet your Father in heaven feeds them. Are you not worth much more than them?» (Matthew 6:26 New Testament).
To emphasise his statement about not worrying, Jesus uses the birds as an example. God cares for the birds, even though they are never found at the wheel of a sowing machine or a combine harvester. They do not sow and still have food to eat. However, this does not mean that they are not industrious; they are often busy building their nests or providing food for their young.
«How many of you can extend your life by even a single hour by worrying??» (Matthew 6:27 New Testament).
This sentence clearly describes the futility of worrying.
«And why are you worried about your clothes? Look at the lilies of the field and learn from them! They grow without labouring and without spinning and weaving. And yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his splendour was not dressed as beautifully as one of them. When God the field flowers that bloom today and are thrown into the fire tomorrow, will he not then dress himself so marvellously? take care of you all the moreyou of little faith?» (Matthew 6:28–30 New Testament).
Jesus switches from the illustration of the birds to the magnificent flowers growing wild. The flowers live even shorter lives than the birds and after a short lifetime they may be thrown into the fire. There are few trees in the vegetation of the Middle East and it took a long time for them to grow in dry areas. For this reason, dry grass was often used for cooking or baking. Burning beautiful flowers is a pity in itself, but God’s provision is very generous. Jesus explained to the disciples: «You are worth so much more than the birds or the flowers of the field, which God cares for. You who live forever are of far greater value, surely the Father will see for you. The message is that food and clothing are important – but not to worry about them, but to trust that God will give them to us. Last Sunday, Pastor Matthias explained to us from the Bible that we should love our bodies because we are a temple of God in which the Holy Spirit dwells.
God has acquired you as his property; remember the price he has paid for it! Therefore, treat your body in a way that honours God! (1 Corinthians 6:20 New Testament).
Food is important, we must take care of our bodies, but trust God to provide for us. Yes, we should eat and, above all, eating healthily is important, but we want to trust Him. The manna was in the ark of the covenant to remind the Israelites to trust God as their provider. We also recognise this idea in the next Bible verse:
«So don’t worry Worries! (Greek: merimnao) Don’t ask: What should we eat? What should we drink? What should we wear?» (Matthew 6:31 New Testament)
«For these things are of concern to the Gentiles, who do not know God. But your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things» (Matthew 6:32 New Testament).
Here the counsellor Jesus speaks and in full love he explains to them that they do not need to worry. He uses the Gentiles as an example of people who do not know God and have to worry without this core identity. The followers of Jesus have nothing to worry about because of their core identity. They are royal children and the king will take care of them.
«Costumes seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you» (Matthew 6:33 LUT)
Costumes gr. epizeteo is also translated as suchet or sehnet. The Greek word epizeteo is translated here as «anxious». It is not the same word that was used for worry (merimnao). This confirms the primary verses that Jesus» followers need not worry about anything, not even the kingdom of God. Quite simply, where God is, there is the kingdom of God, and he reigns in his kingdom. Moreover, Jesus has won the victory, there is nothing more we can add. But God has commissioned us to bring the kingdom of God into the world. Jesus explains to the followers their Main identity as a royal childtherefore seek the kingdom of the Father. He knows what you need on earth and He will give it to you.
«Don’t worry about the next day! The next day will take care of itself. It is enough that each day brings its own burden» (Matthew 6:34 New Testament).
The text says the next day will take care of itself. It does NOT mean to worry only about today. The main message is not to worry, but it should be added that most days there will be burdens to bear. God does not promise us a life without difficulties.
I would like to emphasise the important Difference between ’not to worry» and indifference «Who Cares?» emphasise. Not worrying reflects trust in God. Indifference is passivity. God wants us to help and support one another in active love. One problem with today’s text is the German language. Worry has more than one meaning. For example: «I couldn’t sleep because of the worries!» or with a completely different meaning: «I look after my father, he is ninety years old.» (This sentence is certainly not translated correctly into English). It’s easier in English, where two different words are used. «I could not sleep because of worries» and «I take care of my father, he is nintey years old».
Summary:
Today’s Bible text is about not at rightn or falsen Worries. Unfortunately, the title in my Bible reads: «Of right and wrong worry». The text does not say «care for the kingdom of God», because the kingdom of God is already taken care of. The Almighty, the King of kings reigns and when God reigns, we have nothing to worry about.
Jesus teaches us to put our worries aside and reminds us to orientate ourselves towards the freedom of the kingdom of heaven. If we are truly free, then we have the freedom to orientate ourselves according to the Father’s instructions:
- There is no need to worry. God feeds the birds, surely he will also take care of his children. Once we live in the perfect kingdom of God, we will certainly have no more worries.
- Worries do not bring profit. Worrying cannot add a day to our lives. It drags us down, confuses us and distracts our focus (Luke 21:34). Worry is often paralysing and it persists if there is no other perspective.
- A life of freedom is trust in God with the focus on the kingdom of God. Worries tie us down and steal our focus from the kingdom of heaven. If we are not careful, worries become even greater than the almighty God.
Application:
God has given us feelings, we don’t have to deny them. Feeling something is good, it shows us that our heart is still alive. It is normal to worry, because everyday life brings with it many worries. But worrying all the time is unnecessary, unhealthy and results in Captivity to worries. Jesus wants to give us true freedom.
Invitation to live in freedom
Today is Palm Sundaythe day on which we remember Jesus» triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus deliberately entered Jerusalem, knowing full well that he would hang on the cross at the end of the week. He took up the cross so that we could escape from captivity into freedom.
«Indeed, he has borne our sufferings, and our pains he has taken upon himself» (Isaiah 53:4 ELB).
When we give our worries to Jesus, we experience real freedom
Who wants to be free from their worries?
This week is Holy Week. During this time, we remember how Jesus went to the cross. We remember how he was mocked, humiliated, spat on and flogged and ultimately died one of the most agonising deaths. He willingly went to the cross on Palm Sunday because he loves you and me. It is also this Holy Week, in which we consciously bring our worries to Jesus on the cross. I have brought backpacks here to symbolise our worries. We symbolically deposit them on the cross. At Easter we know that Jesus is no longer hanging on the cross, HE is risen, HE has taken away all our worries. We consciously do this this week and continue to integrate it into our everyday lives.
Possible questions for the small group
Bible text: Matthew 6:25–34
- What do you take away from this sermon?
- Are you already in the habit of sharing your worries with Jesus?
- Has it ever happened to you that you have taken your worries back with you?
- Why shouldn’t we worry?
- Could worries be holding you back from your calling?
- When is the best time in your day to bring your worries to Jesus?
- Would you like to tell the group something that is particularly on your mind?
