Matthew 6: The Assumptions of Jesus

[I was surprised to notice the word assumptions come into my mind as I was reading this chapter, but that is exactly what happened. Jesus assumed some things about us, things that we do not always assume about ourselves.]

Jesus assumes that we will do charitable deeds, works. He wants us to be sure our motives remain pure. In sounds incredible that we would ever sound a trumpet before us as we give, until I consider how ready we are to see our name on a building, a campus, or even just a T-shirt. [The buildings have bothered me for years, but perhaps there was a reason even I didn't recognize?]

Jesus likewise assumes that we will pray, and again He warns us to tend to our motives. Keep God the focus. Ask only for what we actually need. [It occurs to me that the point isn't hyper-simplicity, but need. We may need a miracle of healing, or for a mountain to move. If so, we should ask God for it.] Ask for mercy and for grace. Give God glory. Do not seek glory for yourself in your prayers.

Again, Jesus assumes that we will fast. And again, it is possible to do so with the wrong motives. We can fast in order to impress others with our spirituality, or even with our physique.

And again, Jesus assumes that we will lay up treasures [which is apparently ok], face temptation [also apparently ok], and have real needs [again, ok]. We are to seek God's kingdom instead of vanity in all.

[So, Jesus assumes some things about what we will do in our lives. Perhaps we should assume the same things, and heed His warnings about how to do those things properly?]

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