Matthew 6

The Explanation

Jesus is sitting with his friends, teaching them how to live close to God. He tells them a secret. Some people did good things just so others could see them. They gave money to the poor, but first they blew a trumpet, like: look at me! Jesus says, don't do that. When you help someone, don't even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Keep it quiet, like a secret between you and God.

The same with praying. Some people stood on street corners praying loudly, so everyone would notice how holy they looked. Jesus says, go into your room, shut the door, and talk to your Father there. He is not deaf, and he is not far away. He already knows what you need before you even ask.

Then Jesus gives them words to pray, words we still pray today. Our Father in heaven, let your name be honored. Let your Kingdom come. Give us bread for today. Forgive us, like we forgive others. Keep us from evil.

Jesus keeps going. When you fast, meaning when you choose not to eat for a while to focus on God, don't walk around with a sad, dramatic face. Wash up, look normal. Don't collect treasures on earth, where moths eat them and thieves steal them. Collect treasure in heaven instead, treasure nothing can destroy.

He says you cannot serve two masters. You cannot love God and money at the same time, any more than you can walk two different directions at once.

Then Jesus points at birds flying by. Look at them, he says. They don't plant seeds or store food in barns, yet your Father in heaven feeds them. Aren't you worth more than a bird? He points at flowers in the field. Even King Solomon, dressed in his finest robes, was not as beautiful as these flowers, and flowers don't even try. So don't worry about food or clothes. Seek God's Kingdom first, and these things will be given to you too.

What Does This Mean?

Jesus is teaching his friends where to put their hearts. Not on being seen by people. Not on piles of money. Not on worry. Your heart should rest on your Father who sees in secret, who feeds birds, who dresses flowers, who already knows what you need. That is a safe place for a heart to live.

The Common Thread

Jesus calls God "Father" here, again and again. That is new and wonderful. Because Jesus is God's own Son, he can bring us close to his Father too. He teaches us to pray "Our Father," not because God is far away, but because Jesus opened the door for us to walk right in. The one who tells us not to worry is the same one who later gave everything he had, so we could belong to this Father forever.

For You

The next time you help someone, try to keep it quiet. Don't tell everyone what you did. Just let it be between you and God. When you pray, you don't need fancy words. You can talk to God like Jesus taught, or just tell him what is really in your heart. And when you feel worried, maybe about a test, or a friend, or something scary, remember the birds outside your window. God feeds them every single day. You are worth much more to him than they are.

Have you ever done something kind and told everyone about it right away? How could you do it quietly instead, just for God to see?

What is one thing you worry about? How does knowing God feeds the birds help with that worry?

Praying Together

Father in heaven, thank you that we can talk to you in secret, just you and us. Thank you for feeding the birds and dressing the flowers. Help us trust that you will take care of us too. Teach our hearts to want your Kingdom more than anything else. Amen.