“So don’t worry about these things saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (NLT)

Some of you may have heard about or have watched all four seasons of The Chosen. If you haven’t, it is a television series with worldwide notoriety about Jesus’ ministry and the call of his disciples. In the last episode of season 2 and the first episode of season 3, actor Jonathan Roumie, who plays the role of Jesus, does an outstanding job in his portrayal of Jesus giving the Sermon on the Mount, what some would consider Jesus’ most profound teaching.

‍

This sermon is recorded between the 5^th and 7^th chapters in Matthew, and some scholars believe these particularly important “red letter” verses may have taken Jesus days to deliver. It is also Jesus’ longest sermon, made up of 111 versus, and is packed with so many life-changing concepts that can give a believer so much peace – if we just hear and believe Jesus’ words. In this sermon, Jesus gives us what are known as the beatitudes or blessings (Matt. 5:3-12) and the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). Finally, he wraps up by instructing us on the effectiveness of prayer, the Golden Rule, and the Narrow Gate, to name a few. It is also here in these verses and chapters that Jesus tells us not to worry!  

As I watched these episodes portray the Sermon on the Mount, I almost felt like I was right there in the crowd, trying to press in and hear what Jesus was saying. As Jonathan Roumie speaks Jesus’ words, the camera pans to different crowd members, but it primarily focuses on the character of Matthew and his reactions to Jesus’ words. Matthew hears Jesus, not as harsh and directive, but gentle and caring. Matthew understands that worry does not change anything. He hears our Heavenly Father will take care of our needs. The outcome will be the outcome, and we cannot change anything by worrying about it.

Easier said than done, right? But I think this is why Jesus gives us the command not to worry. He knows that, as humans, it is hard. We can let worry push every other thought aside and dominate our being. And by having these worries, we leave no room to let God move in and work in our lives. He is not being harsh or uncaring when he says these things. He knows our need for food and drink, that it is essential to our survival. He also knows we must have clothing to cover our bodies and provide us with protection. His words are gentle, almost pleading. He tells us that today’s troubles are enough and to seek his Father’s Kingdom, to live righteously, to not worry about tomorrow. He wants us to find our peace in HIM.

Most High God, worry traps me and becomes my focus sometimes. It dominates my thoughts and pushes you away from me. I ask that when the troubles of my day begin to overwhelm me, that I would hear your calm and gentle voice inside my head. That I would hear you tell me not to worry and that I would find peace in knowing you will always be there to take care of me. Amen.