The Assumptions of Jesus

 

I remember 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. That is, as Jesus taught and talked to his disciples, he took some things for granted. I think it's appropriate to consider his assumptions and ask ourselves whether or not they are true of our lives as his followers.

v.1 - Jesus assumes we will practice our righteousness. Of course, we are quick to remind ourselves that we have no righteousness apart from the grace of God (except perhaps a little SELF-righteousness). Yet, Jesus seems to believe that as his followers, we not only have righteousness, but we will practice righteousness. He doesn't say, "By the way, you should go do righteous things." He assumes we will do righteous things and warns us against doing those righteous things with improper motives.

v.2-4 - Again, Jesus assumes we will give to the poor. Jesus assumes that we will do charitable deeds, works. And, once again, his focus is on wanting us to be sure our motives remain pure. Perhaps it sounds incredible to think we would ever sound a trumpet before us as we give. At least, it sounds incredible until I consider how ready we are to see our name on a building, a college campus, or even just the back of a fundraising T-shirt. Personally, with three universities in our town the buildings are the most obvious to me, but it isn't the size of the memorial that matters, it is the desire for it.

v.5ff. - Jesus likewise assumes we will pray, and (yes) 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 of Jesus' admonition isn't hyper-simplicity, but need. He isn't anti-stuff, or against praying for big things. He just wants us to focus our prayers properly. We may need a miracle of healing, or for a mountain to move. If so, we should ask God for it. We are His children, and God is a good Father. The point is to ask Him for what it appropriate to ask Him for and in a way that is  also appropriate. Ask for mercy and for grace. Pray God's priorities and ask for anything you need, but give God glory at all times, either alone or before others. Do not seek glory for yourself in your prayers.

v.14-15 - In the context of prayer, notice that Jesus also assumes we need to be reminded to forgive.

v.16-18 - Again, Jesus assumes we will fast. And again, it is possible to do so with the wrong motives. There are lots of other reasons we might fast. We can fast in order to impress others with our spirituality. We can fast in order to feel better about ourselves. We can fast as a sort of temper-tantrum. We can fast in order to fit into our skinny jeans. (What does it say about our culture that I don't have to put "skinny-jeans" in quotes for you to know what I'm talking about?) Or, we can fast because God calls us to join Him in pursuit of something holy and righteous.

v.19ff. - And again, Jesus assumes that we will lay up treasures [which is apparently ok] (v.19-21), face temptation [also apparently ok (v.24ff.)], and have real needs [again, ok] (v.25ff.). We are to seek God's kingdom instead of vanity in all. As a result, Jesus assumes we do not HAVE TO worry, but we can trust in God.

So, Jesus has some assumptions about what we will do with our lives as His disciples. Perhaps we should assume the same things, and heed His warnings about how to do those things properly?

as·sump·tion
əˈsəm(p)SHən/ 
noun

1. a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof.
2. the action of taking or beginning to take power or responsibility.
 

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