The Explanation

Jesus was sitting on a hill, and people sat around him, listening. He pointed to the grass under their feet. "Look," he said, "at the grass in the field." That grass was green and soft that day. But Jesus said something surprising. Tomorrow, he said, that same grass could be cut down and thrown into an oven, to burn as fuel for a fire. Grass does not live long. It cannot make itself beautiful. It cannot spin cloth or sew a coat. Yet Jesus said God dresses that grass in its green color, every single day.

Then Jesus asked a question that must have made people sit up straight. If God takes that much care with grass, grass that only lives a few days, will he not take even more care of you? Jesus called the people "you of little faith." That sounds like a scolding, but listen closely, it is not said with anger. It is said like a father gently shaking his son's shoulder, saying: why are you so worried? Don't you know who is taking care of you?

What Does This Mean?

Think about it. Grass cannot pray. Grass cannot trust. Grass does not even know God exists. And still God clothes it in color every morning. Now think about yourself. You can talk to God. You can trust him. You matter to him far more than a field of grass ever could. So if God does not forget the grass, will he forget you?

This was not just a nice thought for Jesus. He said this to real people, worried people. Some of them did not know if they would have bread the next day, or clothes for the cold season. Jesus was not pretending their worries were silly. He was showing them something bigger than the worry: their Father in heaven, who sees everything, even grass no one else notices.

The Common Thread

This whole story is really about who God is. Earlier in this same teaching, Jesus tells people to pray "Our Father in heaven." Not a distant King who forgets his people. A Father. Fathers notice small things. A good father notices if his child is hungry, or cold, or scared. Jesus is showing that God is exactly that kind of Father, only far greater and far more faithful than any father on earth.

And here is something wonderful. God did not just dress grass and feed birds from far away. He sent his own Son to walk on this earth, to feel hunger, to feel tired feet, to know exactly what it means to need bread and a coat. Jesus is proof that God does not watch from a distance. He comes close.

For You

So what do you do with worry? You are allowed to bring it to God, honestly, the way you would tell your father you are scared of the dark. Tonight, when you lie in bed, and you start worrying about something, maybe a test, or a friend, or something at home, try this. Look at your blanket, or your pillow, and remember: God gives grass its color every day. He is not too busy for you.

You could even go outside and find one blade of grass. Hold it. Remember that God cares for that tiny thing. Then whisper: God, you take care of grass. Please take care of me too.

Talk About It

Why do you think Jesus used grass, of all things, to explain God's care?

Is there something you are worried about right now that you could tell God tonight?

Praying Together

Father in heaven, thank you that you notice even the grass in the field. Thank you that you notice me too. When I am worried, help me remember that you are taking care of me, just like you take care of the birds and the flowers. Amen.