Jesus Says

When working our way through this pandemic that is causing us to practice an unprecedented “shelter-in-place” mentality, I have wondered what Jesus would say these days.

If He were preaching, what would Jesus preach now? Then, I remembered that Jesus did say some things. He did preach an incredible message that we call “The Sermon on the Mount.” We find that message in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.

With that realization, I think we can surmise what Jesus would say today.

He would start with these words: “Don’t worry.” Specifically, He says, “Therefore, I tell you. Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25, CSB).

Are you flipping out over the COVID-19 craziness? Are you worried as things start to reopen? Are you thinking you might even get it and die? Jesus tells us to not get so consumed with uncertainty and what might happen that we lose sight of Him and who He has promised to be.

Don’t worry. Instead, trust that God will take care of you. If you don’t know God, would you want to draw closer and know personally the God who will walk with you though all of life’s storms? Don’t worry.

So, Jesus would tell us what NOT to do…worry. I think He would also tell us what TO DO. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matthew 6:33). Seek the Lord. Pursue Him. Draw near to Him. Realize that you are invited to be a servant in the Kingdom of God. You are welcome to be a child of God.

The instructions are clear. Seek FIRST the kingdom of God. That should be our priority. Drawing near to God should be our focus for today. We need to not be distracted by the craziness of this season or even the normalcy of a random day that we lose sight of our call to seek Him first.

And, it is HIS kingdom that we should seek. Not the kingdom made up of things from this world. “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth…but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20, CSB).

We are not chasing the dreams of this world. Nor are we chasing our own kingdoms where I sit on the throne of my life. I am to seek His kingdom as His servant and His child. He is the King. I belong to Him.

I also should seek His righteousness. This happens by not depending on my own strength to make choices that are pleasing to Him. Instead, I should depend on His strength in me to do right.

That is what I think Jesus would say now. Will you listen?

(Questions/responses? jeff.perkins@mbclife.org)