Matthew 6 Commentary - William Barclay's Daily Study Bible

5/2/2015
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Verses134
Chapter6
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THEREWARDMOTIVEINTHECHRISTIANLIFE(Matthew6:118)
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WhenwestudytheopeningversesofMatthew6:134,weareimmediately
confrontedwithonemostimportantquestionWhatistheplaceofthe
rewardmotiveintheChristianlife?ThreetimesinthissectionJesus
speaksofGodrewardingthosewhohavegiventohimthekindofservice
whichhedesires(Matthew6:4,Matthew6:18).Thisquestionisso
importantthatwewilldowelltopausetoexamineitbeforewegoonto
studythechapterindetail.
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OtherCommentaries
VerseSpecific
Itisveryoftenstatedthattherewardmotivehasnoplacewhatsoeverinthe
Christianlife.Itisheldthatwemustbegoodforthesakeofbeinggood,
thatvirtueisitsownreward,andthatthewholeconceptionofrewardmust
bebanishedfromtheChristianlife.Therewasanoldsaintwhousedtosay
thathewouldwishtoquenchallthefiresofhellwithwater,andtobumup
allthejoysofheavenwithfire,inorderthatmenseekforgoodnessnor
nothingbutgoodness'sake,andinorderthattheideaofrewardand
punishmentmightbetotallyeliminatedfromlife.
Clarke'sCommentary
Onthefaceofitthatpointofviewisveryfineandnoblebutitisnotthe
pointofviewwhichJesusheld.Wehavealreadyseenthatthreetimesin
thispassageJesusspeaksaboutreward.Therightkindofalmsgiving,the
rightkindofprayer,andtherightkindoffastingwillallhavetheirreward.
Ellicott'sCommentary
Noristhisanisolatedinstanceoftheideaofrewardintheteachingof
Jesus.Hesaysofthosewholoyallybearpersecution,whosufferinsult
withoutbitterness,thattheirrewardwillbegreatinheaven(Matthew5:12).
Hesaysthatwhoevergivestooneoftheselittleonesacupofcoldwaterin
thenameofadisciplewillnotlosehisreward(Matthew10:42).Atleastpart
oftheteachingoftheparableofthetalentsisthatfaithfulservicewill
receiveitsreward(Matthew25:1430).Intheparableofthelastjudgment
theplainteachingisthatthereisrewardandpunishmentinaccordancewith
ourreactiontotheneedsofourfellowmen(Matthew25:3146).Itis
abundantlyclearthatJesusdidnothesitatetospeakintermsofrewards
andpunishments.Anditmaywellbethatweoughttobecarefulthatwedo
nottrytobemorespiritualthanJesuswasinourthinkingaboutthismatter
ofreward.Therearecertainobviousfactswhichwemustnote.
book:Matthewchapter:6
Abbott'sIllustrated
Coffman'sCommentaries
Barnes'Notes
Bullinger'sCommentary
Calvin'sCommentaries
CambridgeGreek
Testament
Expositor'sGreek
Testament
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Edwards'Notes
GoldenChainCommentary
Gill'sExposition
GenevaStudyBible
Haydocks'Catholic
Commentary
Meyer'sNTCommentary
BibleTextbook
Commentary
Bengel'sGnomon
CommentaryCritical
CommentaryCritical
Unabridged
Lightfoot'sCommentary
(i)Itisanobviousruleoflifethatanyactionwhichachievesnothingisfutile
andmeaningless.Agoodnesswhichachievesnoendwouldbea
meaninglessgoodness.Ashasbeenverytrulysaid:"Unlessathingis
goodforsomething,itisgoodfornothing."UnlesstheChristianlifehasan
aimandagoalwhichitisajoytoobtain,itbecomeslargelywithout
meaning.HewhobelievesintheChristianwayandtheChristianpromise
cannotbelievethatgoodnesscanhavenoresultbeyonditself
Trapp'sCommentary
(ii)Tobanishallrewardsandpunishmentsfromtheideaofreligionisin
effecttosaythatinjusticehasthelastword.Itcannotreasonablybeheld
thattheendofthegoodmanandtheendofthebadmanareoneandthe
same.ThatwouldsimplymeanthatGoddoesnotcarewhethermenare
goodornot.Itwouldmean,toputitcrudelyandbluntly,thatthereisno
pointinbeinggood,andnospecialreasonwhyamanshouldliveonekind
oflifeinsteadofanother.Toeliminateallrewardsandpunishmentsisreally
tosaythatinGodthereisneitherjusticenorlove.
Coke'sCommentary
Rewardsandpunishmentsarenecessaryinordertomakesenseoflife.A.
E.Housmanwrote:
RangeSpecific
Kretzmann'sCommentary
Poole'sAnnotations
People'sNT
Benson'sCommentary
Robertson'sWordPictures
Scofield'sReferenceNotes
TheFourfoldGospel
TreasuryofScripture
Knowlege
Vincent'sWordStudies
Burkitt'sCommentary
Wesley'sNotes
Whedon'sCommentary
ChapterSpecific
Yonder,onthemorningblink,
Thesunisup,andsomust1,
http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/view.cgi?bk=39&ch=6
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Towashanddressandeatanddrink
Andlookatthingsandtalkandthink
Andwork,andGodknowswhy.
AndoftenhaveIwashedanddressed,
Andwhat'stoshowforallmypain?
Letmelieabedandrest
TenthousandtimesI'vedonemybest,
Andall'stodoagain."
Iftherearenorewardsandnopunishments,thenthatpoem'sviewoflifeistrue.Actionismeaningless
andalleffortgoesunavailinglywhistlingdownthewind.
(i)TheChristianIdeaOfReward
ButhavinggonethislengthwiththeideaofrewardintheChristianlife,therearecertainthingsabout
whichwemustbeclear.
(i)WhenJesusspokeofreward,hewasverydefinitelynotthinkingintermsofmaterialreward.Itisquite
truethatintheOldTestamenttheideaofgoodnessandprosperityarecloselyconnected.Ifaman
prospered,ifhisfieldswerefertileandhisharvestgreat,ifhischildrenweremanyandhisfortunelarge,it
wastakenasaproofthathewasagoodman.
ThatispreciselytheproblematthebackoftheBookofJob.Jobisinmisfortunehisfriendscometo
himtoarguethatthatmisfortunemustbetheresultofhisownsinandJobmostvehementlydeniesthat
charge."Thinknow,"saidEliphaz,"whothatwasinnocenteverperished?"(Job4:7)"Ifyouarepureand
upright,"saidBildad,"surelythenhewouldrousehimselfforyouandrewardyouwitharightfulhabitation"
(Job8:6)."Foryousay,Mydoctrineispure,andIamcleaninGod'seyes,"saidZophar,"butohthatGod
wouldspeakandopenhislipstoyou"(Job11:4).TheveryideathattheBookofJobwaswrittento
contradictisthatgoodnessandmaterialprosperitygohandinhand.
"Ihavebeenyoung,andnowamold,"saidthePsalmist,"yethaveInotseentherighteousforsaken,or
hischildrenbeggingbread"(Psalms37:25)."Athousandmayfallatyourside,"saidthePsalmist,"and
tenthousandatyourrighthandbutitwillnotcomenearyou.Youwillonlylookwithyoureyesandsee
therecompenseofthewicked.BecauseyouhavemadetheLordyourrefuge,theMostHighyour
habitation,noevilshallbefallyou,noscourgecomenearyourtent"(Psalms91:710).Thesearethings
thatJesuscouldneverhavesaid.ItwascertainlynotmaterialprosperitywhichJesuspromisedhis
disciples.Heinfactpromisedthemtrialandtribulation,suffering,persecutionanddeath.Quitecertainly
Jesusdidnotthinkintermsofmaterialrewards.
(ii)Thesecondthingwhichitisnecessarytorememberisthatthehighestrewardnevercomestohim
whoisseekingit.Ifamanisalwaysseekingreward,alwaysreckoningupthatwhichhebelieveshimself
tobeearning,thenhewillinfactmisstherewardforwhichheisseeking.Andhewillmissitbecausehe
islookingatGodandlookingatlifeinthewrongway.Amanwhoisalwayscalculatinghisrewardis
thinkingofGodintermsofajudgeoranaccountant,andaboveallheisthinkingoflifeintermsoflaw.
Heisthinkingofdoingsomuchandearningsomuch.Heisthinkingoflifeintermsofacreditanddebit
balancesheet.HeisthinkingofpresentinganaccounttoGodandofsaying,"Ihavedonesomuch.Now
Iclaimmyreward."
Thebasicmistakeofthispointofviewisthatitthinksoflifeintermsoflaw,insteadoflove.Ifwelovea
persondeeplyandpassionately,humblyandselflessly,wewillbequitesurethatifwegivethatpersonall
wehavetogive,wewillstillbeindefault,thatifwegivethatpersonthesun,themoonandthestars,we
willstillbeindebt.Hewhoisinloveisalwaysindebtthelastthingthatentershismindisthathehas
earnedareward.Ifamanhasalegalviewoflife,hemaythinkconstantlyintermsofrewardthathehas
wonifamanhasalovingviewoflife,theideaofrewardwillneverenterhismind.
ThegreatparadoxofChristianrewardisthisthepersonwholooksforreward,andwhocalculatesthatit
isduetohim,doesnotreceiveitthepersonwhoseonlymotiveislove,andwhoneverthinksthathehas
deservedanyreward,does.infact,receiveit.Thestrangefactisthatrewardisatoneandthesametime
thebyproductandtheultimateendoftheChristianlife.
(ii)TheChristianReward
Wemustnowgoontoask:WhataretherewardsoftheChristianlife?
(i)Webeginbynotingonebasicandgeneraltruth.WehavealreadyseenthatJesusChristdoesnotthink
intermsofmaterialrewardatall.TherewardsoftheChristianlifearerewardsonlytoaspirituallyminded
person.Tothemateriallymindedpersontheywouldnotberewardsatall.TheChristianrewardsare
rewardsonlytoaChristian.
(ii)ThefirstoftheChristianrewardsissatisfaction.Thedoingoftherightthing,obediencetoJesus
Christ,thetakingofhisway,whateverelseitmayormaynotbring,alwaysbringssatisfaction.Itmay
wellbethat,ifamandoestherightthing,andobeysJesusChrist,hemaylosehisfortuneandhis
position,hemayendingaoloronthescaffold,hemayfinishupinunpopularity,lonelinessanddisrepute,
buthewillstillpossessthatinnersatisfaction,whichisgreaterthanalltherestputtogether.Noprice
ticketcanbeputuponthisthisisnottobeevaluatedintermsofearthlycurrency,butthereisnothing
likeitinalltheworld.Itbringsthatcontentmentwhichisthecrownoflife.
ThepoetGeorgeHerbertwasamemberofalittlegroupoffriendswhousedtomeettoplaytheirmusical
instrumentstogetherlikealittleorchestra.Oncehewasonhiswaytoameetingofthisgroup,whenhe
passedacarterwhosecartwasstuckinthemudoftheditch.GeorgeHerbertlaidasidehisinstrument
andwenttothehelpoftheman.Itwasalongjobtogetthecartout,andliefinishedcoveredwithmud.
Whenhearrivedatthehouseofhisfriends,itwastoolateformusic.Hetoldthemwhathaddetainedhim
ontheway.Onesaid:"Youhavemissedallthemusic."GeorgeHerbertsmiled."Yes,"hesaid."butIwill
havesongsatmidnight."HehadthesatisfactionofhavingdonetheChristlikething.
GodfreyWinntellsofamanwhowasthegreatestplasticsurgeoninBritain.Duringthewar,hegaveupa
privatepractice,whichbroughthimin10,000Britishpoundsperyear,todevoteallhistimetoremoulding
thefacesandthebodiesofairmenwhohadbeenburnedandmutilatedinbattle.GodfreyWinnsaidto
him,"What'syourambition,Mac?"Backcametheanswer,"Iwanttobeagoodcraftsman."The10,000
Britishpoundsperyearwasnothingcomparedwiththesatisfactionofaselflessjobwelldone.
OnceawomanstoppedDaleofBirminghamonthestreet."Godblessyou,Dr.Dale,"shesaid.She
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absolutelyrefusedtogivehername.Sheonlythankedhimandblessedhimandpassedon.Daleatthe
momenthadbeenmuchdepressed."But,"hesaid,"themistbroke,thesunlightcameIbreathedthe
freeairofthemountainsofGod."Inmaterialthingshewasnotonepennythericher,butinthedeep
satisfaction,whichcomestothepreacherwhodiscovershehashelpedsomeone,hehadgainedwealth
untold.
ThefirstChristianrewardisthesatisfactionwhichnomoneyonearthcanbuy.
(iii)ThesecondrewardoftheChristianlifeisstillmoreworktodo.ItistheparadoxoftheChristianidea
ofrewardthatataskwelldonedoesnotbringrestandcomfortandeaseitbringsstillgreaterdemands
andstillmorestrenuousendeavours.Intheparableofthetalentstherewardofthefaithfulservantswas
stillgreaterresponsibility(Matthew25:1430).Whenateachergetsareallybrilliantandablescholar,he
doesnotexempthimfromworkhegiveshimharderworkthanisgiventoanyoneelse.Thebrilliant
youngmusicianisgiven,noteasier,buthardermusictomaster.Theladwhohasplayedwellinthe
secondelevenisnotputintothethirdeleven,wherehecouldwalkthroughthegamewithoutbreaking
sweatheisputintothefirstelevenwherehehastoplayhisheartout.TheJewshadacurioussaying.
Theysaidthatawiseteacherwilltreatthepupil"likeayoungheiferwhoseburdenisincreaseddaily."
TheChristianrewardisthereverseoftheworld'sreward.Theworld'srewardwouldbeaneasiertimethe
rewardoftheChristianisthatGodlaysstillmoreandmoreuponamantodoforhimandforhisfellow
men.Thehardertheworkwearegiventodo,thegreaterthereward.
(iv)Thethird,andthefinal,Christianrewardiswhatmenallthroughtheageshavecalledthevisionof
God.Fortheworldlyman,whohasnevergivenathoughttoGod,tobeconfrontedwithGodwillbea
terrorandnotajoy.Ifamantakeshisownway,hedriftsfartherandfartherfromGodthegulfbetween
himandGodbecomeseverwider,untilintheendGodbecomesagrimstranger,whomheonlywishesto
avoid.But,ifamanallhislifehassoughttowalkwithGod,ifhehassoughttoobeyhisLord,if
goodnesshasbeenhisquestthroughallhisdays,thenallhislifehehasbeengrowingcloserandcloser
toGod,untilintheendhepassesintoGod'snearerpresence,withoutfearandwithradiantjoyandthat
isthegreatestrewardofall.
RightThingsFromTheWrongMotive(Matthew6:1)
6:1Takecarenottotrytodemonstratehowgoodyouareinthepresenceofmen,in
ordertobeseenbythem.Ifyoudo,youhavenorewardwithyourFatherinheaven.
TotheJewtherewerethreegreatcardinalworksofthereligiouslife,threegreatpillarsonwhichthegood
lifewasbasedalmsgiving,prayerandfasting.Jesuswouldnotforamomenthavedisputedthatwhat
troubledhimwasthatsoofteninhumanlifethefinestthingsweredonefromthewrongmotives.
Itisthestrangefactthatthesethreegreatcardinalgoodworksreadilylendthemselvestowrongmotives.
ItwasJesus'warningthat,whenthesethingsweredonewiththesoleintentionofbringingglorytothe
doer,theylostbyfarthemostimportantpartoftheirvalue.Amanmaygivealms,notreallytohelpthe
persontowhomhegives,butsimplytodemonstratehisowngenerosity,andtobaskinthewarmthof
someone'sgratitudeandallmen'spraise.Amanmayprayinsuchawaythathisprayerisnotreally
addressedtoGod,buttohisfellowmen.Hisprayingmaysimplybeanattempttodemonstratehis
exceptionalpietyinsuchawaythatnoonecanfailtoseeit.Amanmayfast,notreallyforthegoodof
hisownsoul,notreallytohumblehimselfinthesightofGod,butsimplytoshowtheworldwhata
splendidlyselfdisciplinedcharacterheis.Amanmaypractisegoodworkssimplytowinpraisefrom
men,toincreasehisownprestige,andtoshowtheworldhowgoodheis.
AsJesussawit,thereisnodoubtatallthatthatkindofthingdoesreceiveacertainkindofreward.
ThreetimesJesususesthephrase,astheRevisedStandardVersionhasit:"TrulyIsaytoyou,they
havetheirreward"(Matthew6:2Matthew6:5Matthew6:16).Itwouldbebettertotranslateit:"They
havereceivedpaymentinfull."ThewordthatisusedintheGreekistheverbapechein(Greek#568),
whichwasthetechnicalbusinessandcommercialwordforreceivingpaymentinfull.Itwastheword
whichwasusedonreceiptedaccounts.Forinstance,onemansignsareceiptgiventoanotherman:"I
havereceived(apecho,Greek#568)fromyoutherentoftheolivepresswhichyouhaveonhire."Atax
collectorgivesareceipt,saying,"Ihavereceived(apecho,Greek#568)fromyouthetaxwhichisdue."A
mansellsaslaveandgivesareceipt,saying,"Ihavereceived(apecho,Greek#568)thewholepricedue
tome."
WhatJesusissayingisthis:"Ifyougivealmstodemonstrateyourowngenerosity,youwillgetthe
admirationofmenbutthatisallyouwilleverget.Thatisyourpaymentinfull.Ifyouprayinsuchaway
astoflauntyourpietyinthefaceofmen,youwillgainthereputationofbeinganextremelydevoutman
butthatisallyouwilleverget.Thatisyourpaymentinfull.Ifyoufastinsuchawaythatallmenknow
thatyouarefasting,youwillbecomeknownasanextremelyabstemiousandasceticmanbutthatisall
youwilleverget.Thatisyourpaymentinfull."Jesusissaying,"Ifyouroneaimistogetyourselfthe
world'srewards,nodoubtyouwillgetthembutyoumustnotlookfortherewardswhichGodalonecan
give."Andhewouldbeasadlyshortsightedcreaturewhograspedtherewardsoftime,andletthe
rewardsofeternitygo.
HowNotToGive(Matthew6:24)
6:24So,whenyougivealms,donotsoundatrumpetbeforeyou,asthehypocrites
dointhesynagoguesandinthestreets,thattheymaybepraisedbymen.Thisis
thetruthItellyoutheyarepaidinfull.Butwhenyougivealms,yourlefthandmust
notknowwhatyourrighthandisdoing,sothatyouralmsgivingmaybeinsecret,
andyourFatherwhoseeswhathappensinsecretwillgiveyouyourrewardinfull.
TotheJewalmsgivingwasthemostsacredofallreligiousduties.Howsacreditwasmaybeseenfrom
thefactthattheJewsusedthesamewordtsedaqah(Hebrew#6666)bothforrighteousnessand
almsgiving.Togivealmsandtoberighteouswereoneandthesamething.Togivealmswastogain
meritinthesightofGod,andwaseventowinatonementandforgivenessforpastsins."Itisbetterto
givealmsthantolayupgoldalmsgivingdothdeliverfromdeath,anditpurgesawayallsin"(Tobit12:8).
"Almsgivingtoafathershallnotbeblottedout,
Andasasubstituteforsinsitshallstandfirmlyplanted.
Inthedayofafflictionitshallberememberedtothycredit.
Itshallobliteratethineiniquitiesastheheat,the
hoarfrost."(Sirach3:1415).
Therewasarabbinicsaying:"Greaterishewhogivesalmsthanhewhooffersallsacrifices."Almsgiving
stoodfirstinthecatalogueofgoodworks.
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Itwasthennaturalandinevitablethatthemanwhodesiredtobegoodshouldconcentrateonalmsgiving.
ThehighestteachingoftheRabbiswasexactlythesameastheteachingofJesus.Theytooforbade
ostentatiousalmsgiving."Hewhogivesalmsinsecret,"theysaid,"isgreaterthanMoses."The
almsgivingwhichsavesfromdeathisthat"whentherecipientdoesnotknowfromwhomhegetsit,and
whenthegiverdoesnotknowtowhomhegivesit."TherewasaRabbiwho,whenhewishedtogive
alms,droppedmoneybehindhim,sothathewouldnotseewhopickeditup."Itwerebetter"theysaid,
"togiveamannothing,thantogivehimsomething,andtoputhimtoshame."Therewasoneparticularly
lovelycustomconnectedwiththeTemple.IntheTempletherewasaroomcalledTheChamberofthe
Silent.Peoplewhowishedtomakeatonementforsomesinplacedmoneythereandpoorpeoplefrom
goodfamilieswhohadcomedownintheworldweresecretlyhelpedbythesecontributions.
Butasinsomanyotherthingspracticefellfarshortofprecept.Toooftenthegivergaveinsuchaway
thatallmenmightseethegift,andgavefarmoretobringglorytohimselfthantobringhelptosomeone
else.Duringthesynagogueservices,offeringsweretakenforthepoor,andtherewerethosewhotook
goodcarethatothersshouldseehowmuchtheygave.J.J.Wetsteinquotesaneasterncustomfromthe
ancientdays:"Intheeastwaterissoscarcethatsometimesithadtobebought.Whenamanwantedto
doagoodact,andtobringblessingonhisfamily,hewenttoawatercarrierwithagoodvoice,and
instructedhim:'Givethethirstyadrink.'Thewatercarrierfilledhisskinandwenttothemarketplace.'O
thirstyones,'hecried,'cometodrinktheoffering.'Andthegiverstoodbyhimandsaid,'Blessme,who
gaveyouthisdrink.'"ThatispreciselythekindofthingthatJesuscondemns.Hetalksaboutthe
hypocriteswhodothingslikethat.Thewordhupokrites(Greek#5273)istheGreekwordforanactor.
Peoplelikethatputonanactofgivingwhichisdesignedonlytoglorifythemselves.
TheMotivesOfGiving(Matthew6:24Continued)
Letusnowlookatsomeofthemotiveswhichliebehindtheactofgiving.
(i)Amanmaygivefromasenseofduty.Hemaygivenotbecausehewishestogive,butbecausehe
feelsthatgivingisadutywhichhecannotwellescape.Itmayevenbethatamancancomeperhaps
unconsciouslytoregardthepoorasbeingintheworldtoallowhimtocarryoutthisduty,andthusto
acquiremeritinthesightofGod.
CatherineCarswellinherautobiography,LyingAwake,tellsofherearlydaysinGlasgow:"Thepoor,one
mightsay,wereourpets.Decidedlytheywerealwayswithus.Inourparticulararkweweretaughtto
love,honourandentertainthepoor."Thekeynote,asshelookedbackuponit,wassuperiorityand
condescension.Givingwasregardedasaduty,butoftenwiththegivingtherewasamorallecturewhich
providedasmugpleasureforthemanwhogaveit.InthosedaysGlasgowwasadrunkencityona
Saturdaynight.Shewrites:"EverySundayafternoon,forsomeyears,myfatherwentaroundofthecells
ofthepolicestation,bailingouttheweekenddrunkswithhalfcrowns,sothattheymightnotlosetheir
jobsonMondaymorning.Heaskedeachonetosignthepledge,andtoreturnhishalfcrownoutofthe
nextweek'swages."Nodoubthewasperfectlyright,buthegavefromasmugeminenceof
respectability,andincludedamorallectureinthegiving.Heclearlyfelthimselftobeinaquitedifferent
moralcategoryfromthosetowhomhegave.Itwassaidofagreat,butsuperiorman:"Withallhisgiving
henevergiveshimself"Whenamangives,asitwere,fromapedestal,whenhegivesalwayswitha
certaincalculation,whenhegivesfromasenseofduty,evenasenseofChristianduty,hemaygive
generouslyofthings,buttheonethinghenevergivesishimself,andthereforethegivingisincomplete.
(ii)Amanmaygivefrommotivesofprestige.Hemaygivetogettohimselfthegloryofgiving.The
chancesarethat,ifnooneistoknowaboutit,or,ifthereisnopublicityattachedtoit,hewouldnotgive
atall.Unlessheisdulythankedandpraisedandhonoured,heissadlydisgruntledanddiscontented.He
gives,nottothegloryofGod,buttothegloryofhimself.Hegives,notprimarilytohelpthepoorperson,
buttogratifyhisownvanityandhisownsenseofpower.
(iii)Amanmaygivesimplybecausehehasto.Hemaygivesimplybecausetheoverflowingloveand
kindlinessinhisheartwillallowhimtodonoother.Hemaygivebecause,tryashemay,hecannotrid
himselfofasenseofresponsibilityforthemaninneed.
TherewasakindofvastkindlinessaboutDr.Johnson.Therewasapovertystrickencreaturecalled
RobertLevett.LevettinhisdayhadbeenawaiterinParisandadoctorinthepoorerpartsofLondon.He
hadanappearanceandmanners,asJohnsonsaidhimself,suchastodisgusttherichandtoterrifythe
poor.SomehoworotherhebecameamemberofJohnson'shousehold.Boswellwasamazedatthewhole
business,butGoldsmithknewJohnsonbetter.HesaidofLevett:"Heispoorandhonestwhichis
recommendationenoughforJohnson.Heisnowbecomemiserable,andthatinsurestheprotectionof
Johnson."MisfortunewasapassporttoJohnson'sheart.
BoswelltellsthisstoryofJohnson."Cominghomelateonenighthefoundapoorwomanlyingonthe
street,somuchexhaustedthatshecouldnotwalk:hetookheruponhisbackandcarriedhertohis
house,wherehediscoveredthatshewasoneofthesewretchedfemales,whohadfallenintothelowest
stateofvice,povertyanddisease.Insteadofharshlyupbraidingher,hehadhertakencareofwithall
tendernessforalongtime,atconsiderableexpense,tillshewasrestoredtohealth,andendeavouredto
putherinavirtuouswayofliving."AllthatJohnsongotoutofthatwasunworthysuspicionsabouthis
owncharacter,buttheheartofthemandemandedthatheshouldgive.
SurelyoneoftheloveliestpicturesinliteraryhistoryisthepictureofJohnson,inhisowndaysofpoverty,
cominghomeinthesmallhoursofthemorning,and,ashewalkedalongtheStrand,slippingpenniesinto
thehandsofthewaifsandstrayswhoweresleepinginthedoorwaysbecausetheyhadnowhereelseto
go.Hawkinstellsthatoneaskedhimhowhecouldbeartohavehishousefilledwith"necessitousand
undeservingpeople."Johnsonanswered:"IfIdidnotassistthemnooneelsewould,andtheymustnot
belostforwant."Thereyouhaverealgiving,thegivingwhichistheupsurgeofloveintheheartofaman,
thegivingwhichisakindofoverflowoftheloveofGod.
WehavethepatternofthisperfectgivinginJesusChristhimself.PaulwrotetohisfriendsatCorinth:
"ForyouknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,that,thoughhewasrich,yetforyoursakehebecame
poor,sothatbyhispovertyyoumightbecomerich"(2Corinthians8:9).Ourgivingmustneverbethe
grimandselfrighteousoutcomeofasenseofduty,stilllessmustitbedonetoenhanceourownglory
andprestigeamongmenitmustbetheinstinctiveoutflowofthelovingheartwemustgivetoothersas
JesusChristgavehimselftous.
HowNotToPray(Matthew6:58)
6:58Andwhenyoupray,youmustnotbelikethehypocrites,fortheyarefondof
prayingstandinginthesynagoguesandatthecornersofthestreets,sothatthey
maybeseenbypeople.ThisisthetruthItellyoutheyarepaidinfull.Butwhenyou
pray,gointoyourprivateroom,andshutthedoor,andpraytoyourFatherwhoisin
secretandyourFatherwhoseeswhathappensinsecretwillgiveyouyourrewardin
full.Whenyoupray,donotpileupmeaninglessphrases,astheGentilesdo,fortheir
ideaisthattheywillbeheardbecauseofthelengthoftheirwords.So,then,donot
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belikethem,foryourFatherknowsthethingsyouneedbeforeyouaskhim.
NonationeverhadahigheridealofprayerthantheJewshadandnoreligioneverrankedprayerhigherin
thescaleofprioritiesthantheJewsdid."Greatisprayer,"saidtheRabbis,"greaterthanallgoodworks."
OneoftheloveliestthingsthatwaseversaidaboutfamilyworshipistheRabbinicsaying,"Hewhoprays
withinhishousesurroundsitwithawallthatisstrongerthaniron."TheonlyregretoftheRabbiswasthat
itwasnotpossibletoprayallthedaylong.
ButcertainfaultshadcreptintotheJewishhabitsofprayer.Itistobenotedthatthesefaultsarebyno
meanspeculiartoJewishideasofprayertheycananddooccuranywhere.Anditistobenotedthatthey
couldonlyoccurinacommunitywhereprayerwastakenwiththegreatestseriousness.Theyarenotthe
faultsofneglecttheyarethefaultsofmisguideddevotion.
(i)Prayertendedtobecomeformalized.Thereweretwothingsthedailyuseofwhichwasprescribedfor
everyJew.
ThefirstwastheShema(compareHebrew#8088),whichconsistsofthreeshortpassagesofscripture
Deuteronomy6:49Deuteronomy11:1321Numbers15:3741.ShemaistheimperativeoftheHebrew
wordtohear(Hebrew#8085),andtheShematakesitsnamefromtheversewhichwastheessenceand
centerofthewholematter:"Hear,OIsrael,theLordourGodisoneLord."
ThefullShemahadtoberecitedbyeveryJeweverymorningandeveryevening.Ithadtobesaidas
earlyaspossible.Ithadtobesaidassoonasthelightwasstrongenoughtoenableamantodistinguish
betweenblueandwhite,or,asRabbiEliezersaid,betweenblueandgreen.Inanyeventithadtobesaid
beforethethirdhour,thatis,9a.m.andintheeveningithadtobesaidbefore9p.m.Ifthelastpossible
momentforthesayingoftheShemahadcome,nomatterwhereamanfoundhimself,athome,inthe
street,atwork,inthesynagogue,hemuststopandsayit.
ThereweremanywholovedtheShemaandwhorepeateditwithreverenceandadorationandlovebut
inevitablytherewerestillmorewhogabbledtheirwaythroughit,andwenttheirway.TheShemahad
everychanceofbecomingavainrepetition,whichmenmumbledthroughlikesomespellorincantation.
WeChristiansarebutillqualifiedtocriticise,foreverythingthathasbeensaidaboutformallygabbling
throughtheShemacanbesaidaboutgracebeforemeatinmanyafamily.
ThesecondthingwhicheveryJewmustdailyrepeatwascalledtheShemoneh'EsrehwhichmeansThe
Eighteen.Itconsistedofeighteenprayers,andwas,andstillis,anessentialpartofthesynagogue
service.Intimetheprayersbecamenineteen,buttheoldnameremains.Mostoftheseprayersarequite
short,andnearlyallofthemareverylovely.
Thetwelfthruns:
"LetThymercy,OLord,beshowedupontheupright,the
humble,theeldersofthypeopleIsrael,andtherestofits
teachersbefavourabletothepiousstrangersamongstus,and
tousall.Givethouagoodrewardtothosewhosincerelytrust
inthyname,thatourlotmaybecastamongthemintheworld
tocome,thatourhopebenotdeceived.Praisedbethou,OLord,
whoartthehopeandconfidenceofthefaithful."
Thefifthruns:
Bringusbacktothylaw,OourFatherbringusback,OKing,to
thyservicebringusbacktotheebytruerepentance.Praised
bethou,OLordwhodostacceptourrepentance,
NoChurchpossessesamorebeautifulliturgythantheShemoneh'EsrehThelawwasthattheJewmust
reciteitthreetimesaday,onceinthemorning,onceintheafternoon,andonceintheevening.Thesame
thinghappenedagain.ThedevoutJewprayeditwithlovingdevotionbutthereweremanytowhomthis
seriesoflovelyprayersbecameagabbledformula.Therewasevenasummarysuppliedwhichaman
mightpray,ifhehadnotthetimeorthememorytorepeatthewholeeighteen.Therepetitionofthe
Shemoneh'Esrehbecamenothingmorethanthesuperstitiousincantationofaspell.Again,weChristians
areillqualifiedtocriticise,fortherearemanyoccasionswhenwedopreciselythesamewiththeprayer
whichtaughtustopray.
HowNotToPray(Matthew6:58Continued)
(ii)Further,theJewishliturgysuppliedstatedprayersforalloccasions.Therewashardlyaneventora
sightinlifewhichhadnotitsstatedformulaofprayer.Therewasprayerbeforeandaftereachmealthere
wereprayersinconnectionwiththelight,thefire,thelightning,onseeingthenewmoon,comets,rain,
tempest,atthesightofthesea,lakes,rivers,onreceivinggoodnews,onusingnewfurniture,onentering
orleavingacity.Everythinghaditsprayer.Clearlythereissomethinginfinitelylovelyhere.Itwasthe
intentionthateveryhappeninginlifeshouldbebroughtintothepresenceofGod.
Butjustbecausetheprayersweresometiculouslyprescribedandstated,thewholesystemlentitselfto
formalism,andthedangerwasfortheprayerstoslipoffthetonguewithverylittlemeaning.Thetendency
wasgliblytorepeattherightprayerattherighttime.ThegreatRabbisknewthatandtriedtoguard
againstit."Ifaman,"theysaid,"sayshisprayers,asiftogetthroughasettask,thatisnoprayer.""Do
notlookonprayerasaformalduty,butasanactofhumilitybywhichtoobtainthemercyofGod."Rabbi
Eliezerwassoimpressedwiththedangerofformalismthatitwashiscustomtocomposeonenewprayer
everyday,thathisprayermightbealwaysfresh.Itisquiteclearthatthiskindofdangerisnotconfined
toJewishreligion.Evenquiettimeswhichbeganindevotioncanendintheformalismofarigidand
ritualistictimetable.
(iii)Stillfurther,thedevoutJewhadsettimesforprayer.Thehourswerethethird,thesixthandtheninth
hours,thatis,9a.m.,12middayand3p.m.Inwhateverplaceamanfoundhimselfhewasboundto
pray.ClearlyhemightbegenuinelyrememberingGod,orhemightbecarryingoutanhabitualformality.
TheMohammedanshavethesamecustom.ThereisastoryofaMohammedanwhowaspursuingan
enemywithdrawnknifetokillhim.Themuezzinrangouthestopped,unrolledhisprayermat,kneltand
racedthroughhisprayerandthenrosetocontinuehismurderouspursuit.Itisalovelythingthatthree
timesadayamanshouldrememberGodbutthereisveryrealdangerthatitmaycometonomorethan
thisthatthreetimesadayamangabbleshisprayerswithoutathoughtofGod.
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(iv)Therewasatendencytoconnectprayerwithcertainplaces,andespeciallywiththesynagogue.Itis
undeniablytruethattherearecertainplaceswhereGodseemsverynear,buttherewerecertainRabbis
whowentthelengthofsayingthatprayerwasefficaciousonlyifitwasofferedintheTempleorinthe
synagogue.SotheregrewupthecustomofgoingtotheTempleatthehoursofprayer.Inthefirstdays
oftheChristianChurch,eventhedisciplesofJesusthoughtintermslikethese,forwereadofPeterand
JohngoinguptotheTempleatthehourofprayer(Acts3:1).
Therewasadangerhere,thedangerthatamanmightcometothinkofGodasbeingconfinedtocertain
holyplacesandthathemightforgetthatthewholeearthisthetempleofGod.ThewisestoftheRabbis
sawthisdanger.Theysaid,"GodsaystoIsrael,prayinthesynagogueofyourcityifyoucannot,prayin
thefieldifyoucannot,prayinyourhouseifyoucannot,prayonyourbedifyoucannot,communewith
yourownheartuponyourbed,andbestill."
Thetroubleaboutanysystemlies,notinthesystem,butinthemenwhouseit.Amanmaymakeany
systemofprayeraninstrumentofdevotionoraformality,gliblyandunthinkinglytobegonethrough.
(v)TherewasamongsttheJewsanundoubtedtendencytowardslongprayers.Thatwasatendencyby
nomeansconfinedtotheJews.In18thcenturyworshipinScotlandlengthmeantdevotion.Insucha
Scottishservicetherewasaversebyverselectureonscripturewhichlastedforanhour,andasermon
whichlastedforanotherhour.Prayerswerelengthyandextempore.Dr.W.D.Maxwellwrites,"The
efficacyofprayerwasmeasuredbyitsardouranditsfluency,andnotleastbyitsfervidlengthiness."
RabbiLevisaid,"Whoeverislonginprayerisheard."Anothersayinghasit:"Whenevertherighteous
maketheirprayerlong,theirprayerisheard."
TherewasandstillisakindofsubconsciousideathatifmenbatterlongenoughatGod'sdoor,hewill
answerthatGodcanbetalked,andevenpestered,intocondescension.ThewisestRabbiswerewell
awareofthisdanger.Oneofthemsaid,"ItisforbiddentolengthenoutthepraiseoftheHolyOne.Itsays
inthePsalms:'WhocanutterthemightydoingsoftheLord,orshowforthallhispraise?'(Psalms106:2).
Thereonlyhewhocanmaylengthenoutandtellhispraisebutnoonecan.""Letaman'swordsbefore
Godalwaysbefew,asitissaid,'Benotrashwithyourmouth,andletnotyourheartbehastytouttera
wordbeforeGodforGodisinheaven,andyouuponearth,thereforeletyourwordsbefew'"
(Ecclesiastes5:2)."Thebestadorationconsistsinkeepingsilence."Itiseasytoconfoundverbositywith
piety,andfluencywithdevotion,andintothatmistakemanyoftheJewsfell.
HowNotToPray(Matthew6:58Continued)
(vi)Therewerecertainotherformsofrepetition,whichtheJews,likealleasternpeoples,wereapttouse
andtooveruse.Theeasternpeopleshadahabitofhypnotisingthemselvesbytheendlessrepetitionof
onephraseorevenofoneword.In1Kings18:26wereadhowtheprophetsofBaalcriedout,"OBaal
answerus,"forthespaceofhalfaday.InActs19:34wereadhowtheEphesianmob,fortwohours,kept
shouting,"GreatisArtemisoftheEphesians."TheMohammedanswillgoonrepeatingthesacred
syllableHEforhoursonend,runningroundincircles,untiltheydrivethemselvestoecstasy,andfinally
falldownunconsciousintotalexhaustion.TheJewsdidthatwiththeShema.Itisakindofsubstitutionof
selfhypnotismforprayer.
TherewasanotherwayinwhichJewishprayerusedrepetition.Therewasanattempttopileupevery
possibletitleandadjectiveintheaddressoftheprayertoGod.Onefamousprayerbegins:
"Blessed,praised,andglorified,exalted,extolledandhonoured,
magnifiedandlaudedbethenameoftheHolyOne."
ThereisoneJewishprayerwhichactuallybeginswithsixteendifferentadjectivesattachedtothenameof
God.Therewasakindofintoxicationwithwords.Whenamanbeginstothinkmoreofhowheispraying
thanofwhatheispraying,hisprayerdiesuponhislips.
(vii)ThefinalfaultwhichJesusfoundwithcertainoftheJewswasthattheyprayedtobeseenofmen.
TheJewishsystemofprayermadeostentationveryeasy.TheJewprayedstanding,withhands
stretchedout,palmsupwards,andwithheadbowed.Prayerhadtobesaidat9a.m.,12midday,and3
p.m.Ithadtobesaidwhereveramanmightbe,anditwaseasyforamantomakesurethatatthese
hourshewasatabusystreetcomer,orinacrowdedcitysquare,sothatalltheworldmightseewith
whatdevotionheprayed.Itwaseasyforamantohaltonthetopstepoftheentrancetothesynagogue,
andtherepraylengthilyanddemonstratively,sothatallmenmightadmirehisexceptionalpiety.Itwas
easytoputonanactofprayerwhichalltheworldmightsee.
ThewisestoftheJewishRabbisfullyunderstoodandunsparinglycondemnedthisattitude."Amanin
whomishypocrisybringswrathupontheworld,andhisprayerisnotheard.""Fourclassesofmendonot
receivethefaceofthegloryofGodthemockers,thehypocrites,theliars,andtheslanderers."The
Rabbissaidthatnomancouldprayatall,unlesshisheartwasattunedtopray.Theylaiditdownthatfor
perfectprayertherewerenecessaryanhourofprivatepreparationbeforehand,andanhourofmeditation
afterwards.ButtheJewishsystemofprayerdidlenditselftoostentation,ifinaman'shearttherewas
pride.
Ineffect,Jesuslaysdowntwogreatrulesforprayer.
(i)HeinsiststhatalltrueprayermustbeofferedtoGod.TherealfaultofthepeoplewhomJesuswas
criticisingwasthattheywereprayingtomenandnottoGod.Acertaingreatpreacheroncedescribedan
ornateandelaborateprayerofferedinaBostonChurchas"themosteloquentprayereverofferedtoa
Bostonaudience."Thepreacherwasmuchmoreconcernedwithimpressingthecongregationthanwith
makingcontactwithGod.Whetherinpublicorinprivateprayer,amanshouldhavenothoughtinhis
mindandnodesireinhisheartbutGod.
(ii)HeinsiststhatwemustalwaysrememberthattheGodtowhomweprayisaGodoflovewhoismore
readytoanswerthanwearetopray.Hisgiftsandhisgracehavenottobeunwillinglyextractedfromhim.
WedonotcometoaGodwhohastobecoaxed,orpestered,orbatteredintoansweringourprayers.We
cometoonewhoseonewishistogive.Whenwerememberthat,itissurelysufficienttogotoGodwith
thesighofdesireinourhearts,andonourlipsthewords,"Thywillbedone."
TheDisciple'sPrayer(Matthew6:915)
6:915So,then,prayinthisway:OurFatherinheaven,letyournamebeheldholy:
LetyourKingdomcome:Letyourwillbedone,asinheaven,souponearth:Giveus
todaybreadforthecomingday:Forgiveusourdebtsasweforgiveourdebtors:And
leadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromtheEvilOne.For,ifyouforgivemen
theirtrespasses,yourheavenlyFatherwillforgiveyoutoobutifyoudonotforgive
mentheirtrespasses,neitherwillyourFatherforgiveyourtrespasses.
BeforewebegintothinkabouttheLord'sPrayerindetailtherearecertaingeneralfactswhichwewilldo
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welltorememberaboutit.
Wemustnote,firstofall,thatthisisaprayerwhichtaughthisdisciplestopray.BothMatthewandLuke
areclearaboutthat.MatthewsetsthewholeSermonontheMountinthecontextofthedisciples
(Matthew5:1)andLuketellsusthatJesustaughtthisprayerinresponsetotherequestofoneofhis
disciples(Luke11:1).TheLord'sPrayerisaprayerwhichonlyadisciplecanprayitisaprayerwhich
onlyonewhoiscommittedtoJesusChristcantakeuponhislipswithanymeaning.
TheLord'sPrayerisnotachild'sprayer,asitissooftenregardeditis,infact,notmeaningfulforachild.
TheLord'sPrayerisnottheFamilyPrayerasitissometimescalled,unlessbythewordfamilywemean
thefamilyoftheChurch.TheLord'sPrayerisspecificallyanddefinitelystatedtobethedisciple'sprayer
andonlyonthelipsofadisciplehastheprayeritsfullmeaning.Toputitinanotherway,theLord's
Prayercanonlyreallybeprayedwhenthemanwhopraysitknowswhatheissaying,andhecannot
knowthatuntilhehasenteredintodiscipleship.
WemustnotetheorderofthepetitionsintheLord'sPrayer.ThefirstthreepetitionshavetodowithGod
andwiththegloryofGodthesecondthreepetitionshavetodowithourneedsandournecessities.That
istosay,Godisfirstgivenhissupremeplace,andthen,andonlythen,weturntoourselvesandour
needsanddesires.ItisonlywhenGodisgivenhisproperplacethatallotherthingsfallintotheirproper
places.PrayermustneverbeanattempttobendthewillofGodtoourdesiresprayeroughtalwaystobe
anattempttosubmitourwillstothewillofGod.
Thesecondpartoftheprayer,thepartwhichdealswithourneedsandournecessities,isamarvellously
wroughtunity.Itdealswiththethreeessentialneedsofman,andthethreespheresoftimewithinwhich
manmoves.First,itasksforbread,forthatwhichisnecessaryforthemaintenanceoflife,andthereby
bringstheneedsofthepresenttothethroneofGod.Second,itasksforforgivenessandtherebybrings
thepastintothepresenceofGod.Third,itasksforhelpintemptationandtherebycommitsallthefuture
intothehandsofGod.Inthesethreebriefpetitions,wearetaughttolaythepresent,thepast,andthe
futurebeforethefootstoolofthegraceofGod.
ButnotonlyisthisaprayerwhichbringsthewholeoflifetothepresenceofGoditisalsoaprayerwhich
bringsthewholeofGodtoourlives.Whenweaskforbreadtosustainourearthlylives,thatrequest
immediatelydirectsourthoughtstoGodtheFather,theCreatorandtheSustainerofalllife.Whenweask
forforgiveness,thatrequestimmediatelydirectsourthoughtstoGodtheSon,JesusChristourSaviour
andRedeemer.Whenweaskforhelpforfuturetemptation,thatrequestimmediatelydirectsourthoughts
toGodtheHolySpirit,theComforter,theStrengthener,theIlluminator,theGuideandtheGuardianofour
way.
InthemostamazingwaythisbriefsecondpartoftheLord'sPrayertakesthepresent,thepast,andthe
future,thewholeofman'slife,andpresentsthemtoGodtheFather,GodtheSonandGodtheHoly
Spirit,toGodinallhisfulness.IntheLord'sPrayerJesusteachesustobringthewholeoflifetothe
wholeofGod,andtobringthewholeofGodtothewholeoflife.
TheFatherInHeaven(Matthew6:9)
6:9OurFatherinHeaven.
ItmightwellbesaidthatthewordFatherusedofGodisacompactsummaryoftheChristianfaith.The
greatvalueofthiswordFatheristhatitsettlesalltherelationshipsofthislife.
(i)Itsettlesourrelationshiptotheunseenworld.Missionariestellusthatoneofthegreatestreliefswhich
ChristianitybringstotheheathenmindandheartisthecertaintythatthereisonlyoneGod.Itisthe
heathenbeliefthattherearehordesofgods,thateverystreamandriver,andtreeandvalley,andhilland
wood,andeverynaturalforcehasitsowngod.Theheathenlivesinaworldcrowdedwithgods.Still
further,allthesegodsarejealous,andgrudging,andhostile.Theymustallbeplacated,andamancan
neverbesurethathehasnotomittedthehonourduetosomeofthesegods.Theconsequenceisthat
theheathenlivesinterrorofthegodsheis"hauntedandnothelpedbyhisreligion."
ThemostsignificantGreeklegendofthegodsisthelegendofPrometheus.Prometheuswasagod.It
wasinthedaysbeforemenpossessedfireandlifewithoutfirewasacheerlessandacomfortlessthing.
InpityPrometheustookfirefromheavenandgaveitasagifttomen.Zeus,thekingofthegods,was
mightilyangrythatmenshouldreceivethisgift.SohetookPrometheusandhechainedhimtoarockin
themiddleoftheAdriaticSea,wherehewastorturedwiththeheatandthethirstoftheday,andthecold
ofthenight.Evenmore,ZeuspreparedavulturetotearoutPrometheus'liver,whichalwaysgrewagain,
onlytobetornoutagain.
Thatiswhathappenedtothegodwhotriedtohelpmen.Thewholeconceptionisthatthegodsare
jealous,andvengeful,andgrudgingandthelastthingthegodswishtodoistohelpmen.Thatisthe
heathenideaoftheattitudeoftheunseenworldtomen.Theheathenishauntedbythefearofahordeof
jealousandgrudginggods.So,then,whenwediscoverthattheGodtowhomweprayhasthenameand
theheartofafatheritmakesliterallyallthedifferenceintheworld.Weneednolongershiverbeforea
hordeofjealousgodswecanrestinafather'slove.
(ii)Itsettlesourrelationshiptotheseenworld,tothisworldofspaceandtimeinwhichwelive.Itiseasy
tothinkofthisworldasahostileworld.Therearethechancesandthechangesoflifetherearetheiron
lawsoftheuniversewhichwebreakatourperilthereissufferinganddeathbutifwecanbesurethat
behindthisworldthereis,notacapricious,jealous,mockinggod,butaGodwhosenameisFather,then
althoughmuchmaystillremaindark,allisnowbearablebecausebehindallislove.Itwillalwayshelpus
ifweregardthisworldasorganizednotforourcomfortbutforourtraining.
Take,forinstance,pain.Painmightseemabadthing,butpainhasitsplaceintheorderofGod.It
sometimeshappensthatapersonissoabnormallyconstitutedthatheisincapableoffeelingpain.Such
apersonisadangertohimselfandaproblemtoeveryoneelse.Iftherewerenosuchthingaspain,we
wouldneverknowthatwewereill,andoftenwewoulddiebeforestepscouldbetakentodealwithany
diseaseorillness.Thatisnottosaythatpaincannotbecomeabadthing,butitistosaythattimes
withoutnumberpainisGod'sredlighttotellusthatthereisdangerahead.
LessingusedtosaythatifhehadonequestiontoasktheSphinx,itwouldbe:"Isthisafriendly
universe?"IfwecanbecertainthatthenameoftheGodwhocreatedthisworldisFather,thenwecan
alsobecertainthatfundamentallythisisafriendlyuniverse.TocallGodFatheristosettleour
relationshiptotheworldinwhichwelive.
(iii)IfwebelievethatGodisFather,itsettlesourrelationshiptoourfellowmen.IfGodisFather,heis
Fatherofallmen.TheLord'sPrayerdoesnotteachustoprayMyFatheritteachesustoprayOur
Father.ItisverysignificantthatintheLord'sPrayerthewordsI,me,andmineneveroccuritistrueto
saythatJesuscametotakethesewordsoutoflifeandtoputintheirplacewe,us,andours.Godisnot
anyman'sexclusivepossession.TheveryphraseOurFatherinvolvestheeliminationofself.The
fatherhoodofGodistheonlypossiblebasisofthebrotherhoodofman.
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(iv)IfwebelievethatGodisFather,itsettlesourrelationshiptoourselves.Therearetimeswhenevery
mandespisesandhateshimself.Heknowshimselftobelowerthanthelowestthingthatcrawlsuponthe
earth.Theheartknowsitsownbitterness,andnooneknowsaman'sunworthinessbetterthanthatman
himself.
MarkRutherfordwishedtoaddanewbeatitude:"Blessedarethosewhohealusofourselfdespisings."
Blessedarethosewhogiveusbackourselfrespect.ThatispreciselywhatGoddoes.Inthesegrim,
bleak,terriblemomentswecanstillremindourselvesthat,evenifwemattertonooneelse,wematterto
GodthatintheinfinitemercyofGodweareofroyallineage,childrenoftheKingofkings.
(v)IfwebelievethatGodisFather,itsettlesourrelationshiptoGod.Itisnotthatitremovesthemight,
majestyandpowerofGod.ItisnotthatitmakesGodanythelessGodbutitmakesthatmight,and
majesty,andpower,approachableforus.
ThereisanoldRomanstorywhichtellshowaRomanEmperorwasenjoyingatriumph.Hehadthe
privilege,whichRomegavetohergreatvictors,ofmarchinghistroopsthroughthestreetsofRome,with
allhiscapturedtrophiesandhisprisonersinhistrain.SotheEmperorwasonthemarchwithhistroops.
Thestreetswerelinedwithcheeringpeople.Thetalllegionarieslinedthestreets'edgestokeepthe
peopleintheirplaces.AtonepointonthetriumphalroutetherewasalittleplatformwheretheEmpress
andherfamilyweresittingtowatchtheEmperorgobyinalltheprideofhistriumph.Ontheplatformwith
hismothertherewastheEmperor'syoungestson,alittleboy.AstheEmperorcamenearthelittleboy
jumpedofftheplatform,burrowedthroughthecrowd,triedtododgebetweenthelegsofalegionary,and
torunoutontotheroadtomeethisfather'schariot.Thelegionarystoopeddownandstoppedhim.He
swunghimupinhisarms:"Youcan'tdothat,boy,"hesaid."Don'tyouknowwhothatisinthechariot?
That'stheEmperor.Youcan'trunouttohischariot."Andthelittleladlaugheddown."Hemaybeyour
Emperor,"hesaid,"buthe'smyfather."ThatisexactlythewaytheChristianfeelstowardsGod.The
might,andthemajesty,andthepowerarethemight,andthemajesty,andthepowerofonewhomJesus
taughtustocallOurFather.
SofarwehavebeenthinkingofthefirsttwowordsofthisaddresstoGodOurFather,butGodisnot
onlyOurFather,HeisOurFatherwhoisinheaven.Thelastwordsareofprimaryimportance.They
conservetwogreattruths.
(i)TheyremindusoftheholinessofGod.Itisveryeasytocheapenandtosentimentalizethewholeidea
ofthefatherhoodofGod,andtomakeitanexcuseforaneasygoing,comfortablereligion."He'sagood
fellowandallwillbewell."AsHeinesaidofGod:"Godwillforgive.Itishistrade."IfweweretosayOur
Father,andstopthere,theremightbesomeexcuseforthatbutitisOurFatherinheaventowhomwe
pray.Theloveisthere,buttheholinessisthere,too.
ItisextraordinaryhowseldomJesususedthewordFatherinregardtoGod.Mark'sgospelistheearliest
gospel,andisthereforethenearestthingwewilleverhavetoanactualreportofallthatJesussaidand
didandinMark'sgospelJesuscallsGodFatheronlysixtimes,andneveroutsidethecircleofthe
disciples.ToJesusthewordFatherwassosacredthathecouldhardlybeartouseitandhecouldnever
useitexceptamongstthosewhohadgraspedsomethingofwhatitmeant.
WemustneverusethewordFatherinregardtoGodcheaply,easily,andsentimentally.Godisnotan
easygoingparentwhotolerantlyshutshiseyestoallsinsandfaultsandmistakes.ThisGod,whomwe
cancallFather,istheGodwhomwemuststillapproachwithreverenceandadoration,andaweand
wonder.GodisourFatherinheaven,andinGodthereisloveandholinesscombined.
(ii)TheyremindusofthepowerofGod.Inhumanlovethereissooftenthetragedyoffrustration.We
mayloveapersonandyetbeunabletohelphimachievesomething,ortostophimdoingsomething.
Humanlovecanbeintenseandquitehelpless.Anyparentwithanerringchild,oranyloverwitha
wanderinglovedoneknowsthat.Butwhenwesay,'OurFatherinheaven,'weplacetwothingssideby
side.WeplacesidebysidetheloveofGodandthepowerofGod.Wetellourselvesthatthepowerof
GodisalwaysmotivatedbytheloveofGod,andcanneverbeexercisedforanythingbutourgoodwe
tellourselvesthattheloveofGodisbackedbythepowerofGod,andthatthereforeitspurposescan
neverbeultimatelyfrustratedordefeated.Itisloveofwhichwethink,butitistheloveofGod.Whenwe
prayOurFatherinheavenwemusteverremembertheholinessofGod,andwemusteverrememberthe
powerwhichmovesinlove,andthelovewhichhasbehindittheundefeatablepowerofGod.
TheHallowingOfTheName(Matthew6:9Continued)
6:9Letyournamebeheldholy.
"HallowedbeThyname"itisprobablytruethatofallthepetitionsoftheLord'sPrayerthisistheone
whosemeaningwewouldfinditmostdifficulttoexpress.First,then,letusconcentrateontheactual
meaningofthewords.
ThewordwhichistranslatedhallowedisapartoftheGreekverbhagiazesthai(Greek#37).TheGreek
verbhagiazesthaiisconnectedwiththeadjectivehagios(Greek#40),andmeanstotreatapersonora
thingashagios.Hagiosisthewordwhichisusuallytranslatedholybutthebasicmeaningofhagiosis
differentorseparate.Athingwhichishagios(Greek#40)isdifferentfromotherthings.Apersonwhois
hagiosisseparatefromotherpeople.Soatempleishagion(Greek#39)becauseitisdifferentfromother
buildings.Analtarishagios(Greek#40)becauseitexistsforapurposedifferentfromthepurposeof
ordinarythings.God'sdayishagios(Greek#40)becauseitisdifferentfromotherdays.Apriestishagios
(Greek#40)becauseheisseparatefromothermen.So,then,thispetitionmeans,"LetGod'snamebe
treateddifferentlyfromallothernamesletGod'snamebegivenapositionwhichisabsolutelyunique."
Butthereissomethingtoaddtothis.InHebrewthenamedoesnotmeansimplythenamebywhicha
personiscalledJohnorJames,orwhateverthenamemaybe.InHebrewthenamemeansthenature,
thecharacter,thepersonalityofthepersoninsofarasitisknownorrevealedtous.Thatbecomesclear
whenweseehowtheBiblewritersusetheexpression.
ThePsalmistsays,"Thosewhoknowthynameputtheirtrustinthee"(Psalms9:10).Quiteclearlythat
doesnotmeanthatthosewhoknowthatGodiscalledJehovahwilltrustinhim.Itmeansthatthosewho
knowwhatGodislike,thosewhoknowthenatureandthecharacterofGodwillputtheirtrustinhim.The
Psalmistsays,"Someboastofchariotsandsomeofhorses,butweboastofthenameoftheLordour
God"(Psalms20:7).QuiteclearlythatdoesnotmeanthatinatimeofdifficultythePsalmistwill
rememberthatGodiscalledJehovah.Itmeansthatatsuchatimesomewillputtheirtrustinhumanand
materialaidsanddefences,butthePsalmistwillrememberthenatureandthecharacterofGodhewill
rememberwhatGodislike,andthatmemorywillgivehimconfidence.
So,then,letustakethesetwothingsandputthemtogether.Hagiazesthai(Greek#37),whichis
translatedtohallow,meanstoregardasdifferent,togiveauniqueandspecialplaceto.Thenameisthe
nature,thecharacter,thepersonalityofthepersoninsofarasitisknownandrevealedtous.Therefore,
whenwepray"HallowedbeThyname,"itmeans,"Enableustogivetotheetheuniqueplacewhichthy
natureandcharacterdeserveanddemand."
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ThePrayerForReverence(Matthew6:9Continued)
Isthere,then,onewordinEnglishforgivingtoGodtheuniqueplacewhichhisnatureandcharacter
demand?Thereissuchaword,andthewordisreverence.Thispetitionisaprayerthatweshouldbe
enabledtoreverenceGodasGoddeservestobereverenced.InalltruereverenceofGodtherearefour
essentials.
(i)InordertoreverenceGodwemustbelievethatGodexists.Wecannotreverencesomeonewhodoes
notexistwemustbeginbybeingsureoftheexistenceofGod.
TothemodernminditisstrangethattheBiblenowhereattemptstoprovetheexistenceofGod.Forthe
BibleGodisanaxiom.Anaxiomisaselfevidentfactwhichisnotitselfproved,butwhichisthebasisof
allotherproofs.Forinstance,'Astraightlineistheshortestdistancebetweentwopoints,'and,'Parallel
lines,howeverfarproduced,willnevermeet,'areaxioms.
TheBiblewriterswouldhavesaidthatitwassuperfluoustoprovetheexistenceofGod,becausethey
experiencedthepresenceofGodeverymomentoftheirlives.Theywouldhavesaidthatamannomore
neededtoprovethatGodexiststhanheneedstoprovethathiswifeexists.Hemeetshiswifeeveryday,
andhemeetsGodeveryday.
ButsupposewedidneedtotrytoprovethatGodexists,usingourownmindstodoso,howwouldwe
begin?Wemightbeginfromtheworldinwhichwelive.Paley'soldargumentisnotyetcompletely
outdated.Supposethereisamanwalkingalongtheroad.Hestrikeshisfootagainstawatchlyinginthe
dust.Hehasneverinhislifeseenawatchbeforehedoesnotknowwhatitis.Hepicksituphesees
thatitconsistsofametalcase,andinsidethecaseacomplicatedarrangementofwheels,levers,
springsandjewels.Heseesthatthewholethingismovingandworkinginthemostorderlyway.Hesees
furtherthatthehandsaremovingroundthedialinanobviouslypredeterminedroutine.Whatthendoeshe
say?Doeshesay:"Allthesemetalsandjewelscametogetherfromtheendsoftheearthbychance,by
chancemadethemselvesintowheelsandleversandsprings,bychanceassembledthemselvesintothis
mechanism,bychancewoundthemselvesupandsetthemselvesgoing,bychanceacquiredtheir
obviousorderlyworking"?No.Hesays,"Ihavefoundawatchsomewheretheremustbeawatch
maker."
Orderpresupposesmind.Welookattheworldweseeavastmachinewhichisworkinginorder.Suns
riseandsetinanunvaryingsuccession.Tidesebbandflowtoatimetable.Seasonsfolloweachotherin
anorder.Welookattheworld,andweareboundtosay,"Somewheretheremustbeaworldmaker."The
factoftheworlddrivesustoGod.AsSirJamesJeanshassaid,"Noastronomercanbeanatheist."The
orderoftheworlddemandsthemindofGodbehindit.
Wemightbeginfromourselves.Theonethingmanhasnevercreatedislife.Mancanalterandrearrange
andchangethings,buthecannotcreatealivingthing.Wherethendidwegetourlife?Fromourparents.
Yes,butwheredidtheygettheirs?Fromtheirparents.Butwheredidallthisbegin?Atsometimelife
musthavecomeintotheworldanditmusthavecomefromoutsidetheworldformancannotcreatelife
andonceagainwearedrivenbacktoGod.
WhenwelookinuponourselvesandoutupontheworldwearedriventoGod.AsKantsaidlongago,"the
morallawwithinus,andthestarryheavensaboveus,"driveustoGod.
(ii)BeforewecanreverenceGod,wemustnotonlybelievethatGodis,wemustalsoknowthekindof
Godheis.NoonecouldreverencetheGreekgodswiththeirlovesandwars,theirhatesandtheir
adulteries,theirtrickeriesandtheirknaveries.Noonecanreverencecapricious,immoral,impuregods.
ButinGodasweknowhimtherearethreegreatqualities.Thereisholinessthereisjusticeandthereis
love.WemustreverenceGod,notonlybecauseheexists,butbecauseheistheGodwhomweknow
himtobe.
(iii)ButamanmightbelievethatGodishemightbeintellectuallyconvincedthatGodisholy,justand
lovingandstillhemightnothavereverence.Forreverencethereisnecessaryaconstantawarenessof
GodToreverenceGodmeanstoliveinaGodfilledworld,tolivealifeinwhichweneverforgetGod.This
awarenessisnotconfinedtotheChurchortosocalledholyplacesitmustbeanawarenesswhich
existseverywhereandatalltimes.
WordsworthspokeofitinLinescomposednearTinternAbbey:
"AndIhavefelt
Apresencethatdisturbsmewiththejoy
Ofelevatedthoughtsasensesublime
Ofsomethingfarmoredeeplyinterfused,
Whosedwellingisthelightofsettingsuns,
Andtheroundocean,andthelivingair,
Andthebluesky,andinthemindofman:
Amotionandaspirit,thatimpels
Allthinkingthings,allobjectsofallthought,
Androllsthroughallthings."
OneofthefinestofmoderndevotionalpoetsisHenryErnestHardywhowroteunderthenameofFather
Andrew.InTheMysticBeautyhewrites:
"OLondontownhasmanymoods,
Andmingled'mongstitsmanybroods
Aleaveningofsaints,
Andeverupanddownitsstreets,
Ifonehaseyestoseeonemeets
Stuffthatanartistpaints.
I'veseenabackstreetbathedinblue,
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SuchasthesoulofWhistlerknew:
Asmudgeofamberlight,
Wheresomefriedfishshopplieditstrade,
Aperfectnoteofcolourmade
Oh,itwasexquisite!
IoncecamethroughSt.James'Park
Betwixtthesunsetandthedark,
Andohthemystery
Ofgreyandgreenandviolet!
IwouldInevermightforget
Thateveningharmony.
IholdittruethatGodisthere
Ifbeautybreaksthroughanywhere
Andhismostblessedfeet,
Whooncelife'sroughestroadwaytrod.,
WhocameasmantoshowusGod,
Stillpassalongthestreet."
Godinthebackstreet,GodinSt.James'Park,Godinthefriedfishshopthatisreverence.Thetrouble
withmostpeopleisthattheirawarenessofGodisspasmodic,acuteatcertaintimesandplaces,totally
absentatothers.ReverencemeanstheconstantawarenessofGod.
(iv)Thereremainsonefurtheringredientinreverence.WemustbelievethatGodexistswemustknow
whatkindofaGodheiswemustbeconstantlyawareofGod.Butamanmighthaveallthesethings
andstillnothavereverence.ToallthesethingsmustbeaddedobedienceandsubmissiontoGod.
Reverenceisknowledgeplussubmission.InhiscatechismLutherasks,"HowisGod'snamehallowed
amongstus?"andhisansweris,"WhenbothourlifeanddoctrinearetrulyChristian,"thatistosay,when
ourintellectualconvictions,andourpracticalactions,areinfullsubmissiontothewillofGod.
ToknowthatGodis,toknowwhatkindofaGodheis,tobeconstantlyawareofGod,andtobe
constantlyobedienttohimthatisreverenceandthatiswhatweprayforwhenwepray:"Hallowedbethy
name."LetGodbegiventhereverencewhichhisnatureandcharacterdeserve.
God'sKingdomAndGod'sWill(Matthew6:10)
6:10LetyourKingdomcome:Letyourwillbedone,asinheaven,soalsoonearth.
ThephraseTheKingdomofGodischaracteristicofthewholeNewTestament.Nophraseisusedoftener
inprayerandinpreachingandinChristianliterature.Itis,therefore,ofprimaryimportancethatweshould
beclearastowhatitmeans.
ItisevidentthattheKingdomofGodwascentraltothemessageofJesus.ThefirstemergenceofJesus
onthesceneofhistorywaswhenhecameintoGalileepreachingthegoodnewsoftheKingdomofGod
(Mark1:14).Jesushimselfdescribedthepreachingofthekingdomasanobligationlaiduponhim:"Imust
preachthegoodnewsoftheKingdomofGodtotheothercitiesalso,forIwassentforthispurpose"
(Luke4:43Mark1:38).Luke'sdescriptionofJesus'activityisthathewentthrougheverycityandvillage
preachingandshowingthegoodnewsoftheKingdomofGod(Luke8:1).Clearlythemeaningofthe
KingdomofGodissomethingwhichweareboundtotrytounderstand.
Whenwedotrytounderstandthemeaningofthisphrasewemeetwithcertainpuzzlingfacts.Wefind
thatJesusspokeoftheKingdominthreedifferentways.HespokeoftheKingdomasexistinginthe
past.HesaidthatAbraham,IsaacandJacob,andalltheprophetswereintheKingdom(Luke13:28
Matthew8:11).ClearlythereforetheKingdomgoesfarbackintohistory.HespokeoftheKingdomas
present."TheKingdomofGod,"hesaid,"isinthemidstofyou"(Luke17:21).TheKingdomofGodis
thereforeapresentrealityhereandnow.HespokeoftheKingdomofGodasfuture,forhetaughtmento
prayforthecomingoftheKingdominthishisownprayer.HowthencantheKingdombepast,present
andfutureallattheonetime?HowcantheKingdombeatoneandthesametimesomethingwhich
existed,whichexists,andforwhosecomingitisourdutytopray?
WefindthekeyinthisdoublepetitionoftheLord'sPrayer.Oneofthecommonestcharacteristicsof
Hebrewstyleiswhatistechnicallyknownasparallelism.TheHebrewtendedtosayeverythingtwice.He
saiditinoneway,andthenhesaiditinanotherwaywhichrepeatedoramplifiedorexplainedthefirst
way.AlmostanyverseofthePsalmswillshowthisparallelisminaction.Almosteveryverseofthe
Psalmsdividesintwointhemiddleandthesecondhalfrepeatsoramplifiesorexplainsthefirsthalf.
Letustakesomeexamplesandthethingwillbecomeclear:
"Godisourrefugeandstrengthaverypresenthelpintrouble(Psalms46:1).
"TheLordofHostsiswithustheGodofJacobisourrefuge(Psalms46:7).
"TheLordismyshepherdIshallnotwant.
HemakesmeliedowningreenpasturesHeleadsmebeside
stillwaters"(Psalms23:12).
LetusapplythisprincipletothesetwopetitionsoftheLord'sPrayer.Letussetthemdownsidebyside:
"ThyKingdomcomeThywillbedoneinearthasitisinheaven."
Letusassumethatthesecondpetitionexplains,andamplifies,anddefinesthefirst.Wethenhavethe
perfectdefinitionoftheKingdomofGodTheKingdomofGodisasociety,uponearthwhereGodswillis
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asperfectlydoneasitisinheaven.HerewehavetheexplanationofhowtheKingdomcanbepast,
presentandfutureallattheonetime.AnymanwhoatanytimeinhistoryperfectlydidGod'swillwas
withintheKingdomanymanwhoperfectlydoesGod'swilliswithintheKingdombutsincetheworldis
veryfarfrombeingaplacewhereGod'swillisperfectlyanduniversallydone,theconsummationofthe
Kingdomisstillinthefutureandisstillsomethingforwhichwemustpray.
TobeintheKingdomistoobeythewillofGod.ImmediatelyweseethattheKingdomisnotsomething
whichprimarilyhastodowithnationsandpeoplesandcountries.Itissomethingwhichhastodowith
eachoneofus.TheKingdomisinfactthemostpersonalthingintheworld.TheKingdomdemandsthe
submissionofmywill,myheart,mylife.Itisonlywheneachoneofusmakeshispersonaldecisionand
submissionthattheKingdomcomes.
TheChineseChristianprayedthewellknownprayer,"Lord,revivethyChurch,beginningwithme,"and
wemightwellparaphrasethatandsay,"Lord,bringinthyKingdom,beginningwithme."Toprayforthe
KingdomofHeavenistopraythatwemaysubmitourwillsentirelytothewillofGod.
God'sKingdomAndGod'sWill(Matthew6:10Continued)
Fromwhatwehavealreadyseenitbecomesclearthatthemostimportantthingintheworldistoobey
thewillofGodthemostimportantwordsintheworldare"Thywillbedone."Butitisequallyclearthat
theframeofmindandthetoneofvoiceinwhichthesewordsarespokenwillmakeaworldofdifference.
(i)Amanmaysay,"Thywillbedone,"inatoneofdefeatedresignation.Hemaysayit,notbecausehe
wishestosayit,butbecausehehasacceptedthefactthathecannotpossiblysayanythingelsehe
maysayitbecausehehasacceptedthefactthatGodistoostrongforhim,andthatitisuselessto
batterhisheadagainstthewallsoftheuniverse.Hemaysayitthinkingonlyoftheineluctablepowerof
Godwhichhashiminitsgrip.AsOmarKhayyamhadit:
"ButhelplessPiecesoftheGameHeplays
UponthisCheckerboardofNightsandDays
Hitherandthithermoves,andchecks,andslays,
Andonebyonebackintheclosetlays.
TheBallnoquestionmakesofAyesandNoes,
ButHereorThereasstrikesthePlayergoes
AndHethatToss'dyoudownintotheField,
HeknowsaboutitallHeknowsHEknows!"
AmanmayacceptthewillofGodfornootherreasonthanthathehasrealizedthathecannotdo
anythingelse.
(ii)Amanmaysay,"Thywillbedone,"inatoneofbitterresentment.Swinburnespokeofmenfeelingthe
tramplingoftheironfeetofGod.Hespeaksofthesupremeevil,God.Beethovendiedallaloneanditis
saidthatwhentheyfoundhisbodyhislipsweredrawnbackinasnarlandhisfistswereclenchedasif
hewereshakinghisfistsintheveryfaceofGodandofhighheaven.AmanmayfeelthatGodishis
enemy,andyetanenemysostrongthathecannotresist.HemaythereforeacceptGod'swill,buthe
mayacceptitwithbitterresentmentandsmoulderinganger.
(iii)Amanmaysay,"Thywillbedone,"inperfectloveandtrust.Hemaysayitgladlyandwillingly,no
matterwhatthatwillmaybe.ItshouldbeeasyfortheChristiantosay,"Thywillbedone,"likethatfor
theChristiancanbeverysureoftwothingsaboutGod.
(a)HecanbesureofthewisdomofGod.Sometimeswhenwewantsomethingbuiltorconstructed,or
alteredorrepaired,wetakeittothecraftsmanandconsulthimaboutit.Hemakessomesuggestion,and
weoftenendupbysaying,"Well,dowhatyouthinkbest.Youaretheexpert."Godistheexpertinlife,
andhisguidancecanneverleadanyoneastray.
WhenRichardCameron,theScottishCovenanter,waskilledhisheadandhishandswerecutoffbyone
MurrayandtakentoEdinburgh."Hisfatherbeinginprisonforthesamecause,theenemycarriedthemto
him,toaddgriefuntohisformersorrow,andinquiredathimifheknewthem.Takinghisson'sheadand
hands,whichwereveryfair(beingamanoffaircomplexionlikehimself),hekissedthemandsaid,'I
knowthemIknowthem.Theyaremyson'smyowndearson's.ItistheLord.Goodisthewillofthe
Lord,whocannotwrongmeormine,buthathmadegoodnessandmercytofollowusallourdays.'"When
amancanspeaklikethat,whenheisquitesurethathistimesareinthehandsoftheinfinitewisdomof
God,itiseasytosay,"Thywillbedone."
(b)HecanbesureoftheloveofGod.WedonotbelieveinamockingandacapriciousGod,orinablind
andirondeterminism.ThomasHardyfinisheshisnovelTesswiththegrimwords:"ThePresidentofthe
ImmortalshadfinishedhissportwithTess."WebelieveinaGodwhosenameislove.AsWhittierhadit:
"IknownotwhereHisislandslift
Theirfrondedpalmsinair.
IonlyknowIcannotdrift
BeyondHisloveandcare."
AsBrowningtriumphantlydeclaredhisfaith:
"God,Thouartlove!Ibuildmyfaithonthat...
Iknowtheewhohaskeptmypathandmade
Lightformeinthedarkness,temperingsorrow
Sothatitreachedmelikeasolemnjoy.
ItweretoostrangethatIshoulddoubtthylove."
AndasPaulhadit:"HewhodidnotsparehisownSon,butgavehimupforusall,willhenotalsogiveus
allthingswithhim?"(Romans8:32).NomancanlookattheCrossanddoubttheloveofGod,andwhen
wearesureoftheloveofGod,itiseasytosay,"Thywillbedone."
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OurDailyBread(Matthew6:11)
6:11Giveustodaybreadforthecomingday.
OnewouldhavethoughtthatthisistheonepetitionoftheLord'sPrayeraboutthemeaningofwhichthere
couldhavebeennopossibledoubt.Itseemsonthefaceofittobethesimplestandthemostdirectof
themall.Butitisthefactthatmanyinterpretershaveofferedmanyinterpretationsofit.Beforewethink
ofitssimpleandobviousmeaning,letuslookatsomeoftheotherexplanationswhichhavebeenoffered.
(i)ThebreadhasbeenidentifiedwiththebreadoftheLord'sSupper.FromtheverybeginningtheLord's
PrayerhasbeencloselyconnectedwiththeLord'sTable.Intheveryfirstordersofservicewhichwe
possessitisalwayslaiddownthattheLord'sPrayershouldbeprayedattheLord'sTable,andsome
havetakenthispetitionasaprayertobegrantedthedailyprivilegeofsittingattheTableofourLord,and
ofeatingthespiritualfoodwhichamanreceivesthere.
(ii)ThebreadhasbeenidentifiedwiththespiritualfoodofthewordofGod.Wesometimessingthehymn:
Breakthouthebreadoflife,
DearLord,tome,
Asthoudidstbreaktheloaves
Besidethesea.
Beyondthesacredpage
Iseekthee,Lord,
Myspiritpantsforthee,
Olivingword."
Sothispetitionhasbeentakentobeaprayerforthetrueteaching,thetruedoctrine,theessentialtruth,
whichareinthescripturesandthewordofGod,andwhichareindeedfoodforaman'smindandheart
andsoul.
(iii)ThebreadhasbeentakentostandforJesushimself.Jesuscalledhimselfthebreadoflife(John
6:3335),andthishasbeentakentobeaprayerthatdailywemaybefedonhimwhoisthelivingbread.
ItwasinthatwaythatMatthewArnoldusedthephrase,whenhewrotehispoemaboutthesaintofGod
hemetintheeastendofLondononesuffocatingday:
"'TwasAugust,andthefiercesunoverhead
SmoteonthesqualidstreetsofBethnalGreen,
Andthepaleweaver,throughhiswindowsseen,
InSpitalfields,look'dthricedispirited.
ImetapreacherthereIknewandsaid:
'Illando'erworked,howfareyouinthisscene?'
'Bravely!'saidhe,'forIoflatehavebeen
Muchcheer'dwiththoughtsofChrist,theliving
bread.'"
Sothenthispetitionhasbeentakenasaprayerthatwetoomightbecheeredandstrengthenedwith
Christthelivingbread.
(iv)ThispetitionhasbeentakeninapurelyJewishsense.Thebreadhasbeentakentobethebreadof
theheavenlykingdom.LuketellshowoneofthebystanderssaidtoJesus:"Blessedishewhoshalleat
breadintheKingdomofGod"(Luke14:15).TheJewshadastrangeyetvivididea.Theyheldthatwhen
theMessiahcame,andwhenthegoldenagedawned,therewouldbewhattheycalledtheMessianic
banquet,atwhichthechosenonesofGodwouldsitdown.TheslainbodiesofthemonstersBehemoth
andLeviathanwouldprovidethemeatandthefishcoursesofthebanquet.Itwouldbeakindofreception
feastgivenbyGodtohisownpeople.So,then,thishasbeentakentobeapetitionforaplaceatthe
finalMessianicbanquetofthepeopleofGod.
Althoughweneednotagreethatanyoneoftheseexplanationsisthemainmeaningofthispetition,we
neednotrejectanyofthemasfalse.Theyallhavetheirowntruthandtheirownrelevance.
Thedifficultyofinterpretingthispetitionwasincreasedbythefactthattherewasveryconsiderabledoubt
astothemeaningofthewordepiousios(Greek#1967),whichisthewordwhichtheRevisedStandard
Versiontranslates"daily."Theextraordinaryfactwasthat,untilashorttimeago,therewasnoother
knownoccurrenceofthiswordinthewholeofGreekliterature.Origenknewthis,andindeedheldthat
Matthewhadinventedtheword.Itwasthereforenotpossibletobesurewhatitpreciselymeant.Butnot
verylongagoapapyrusfragmentturnedupwiththiswordonitandthepapyrusfragmentwasactuallya
woman'sshoppinglist!Andagainstanitemonitwasthewordepiousios(Greek#1967).Itwasanoteto
remindhertobuysuppliesofacertainfoodforthecomingday.So,verysimply,whatthispetitionmeans
is:"Givemethethingsweneedtoeatforthiscomingday.HelpmetogetthethingsI'vegotonmy
shoppinglistwhenIgooutthismorning.Givemethethingsweneedtoeatwhenthechildrencomein
fromschool,andthemenfolkcomeinfromwork.Grantthatthetablebenotbarewhenwesitdown
togethertoday."ThisisasimpleprayerthatGodwillsupplyuswiththethingsweneedforthecoming
day.
OurDailyBread(Matthew6:11Continued)
Whenweseethatthisisasimplepetitionfortheneedsoftheeveryday,certaintremendoustruths
emergefromit.
(i)IttellsusthatGodcaresforourbodies.Jesusshowedusthathespentsomuchtimehealingmen's
diseasesandsatisfyingtheirphysicalhunger.Hewasanxiouswhenhethoughtthatthecrowdwhohad
followedhimoutintothelonelyplaceshadalongroadhome,andnofoodtoeatbeforetheysetoutupon
it.WedowelltorememberthatGodisinterestedinourbodies.Anyteachingwhichbelittles,and
despises,andslandersthebodyiswrong.WecanseewhatGodthinksofourhumanbodies,whenwe
rememberthathehimselfinJesusChristtookahumanbodyuponhim.Itisnotsimplysoulsalvation,it
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iswholesalvation,thesalvationofbody,mindandspirit,atwhichChristianityaims.
(ii)Thispetitionteachesustoprayforourdailybread,forbreadforthecomingday.Itteachesustolive
onedayatatime,andnottoworryandbeanxiousaboutthedistantandtheunknownfuture.When
Jesustaughthisdisciplestopraythispetition,thereislittledoubtthathismindwasgoingbacktothe
storyofthemannainthewilderness(Exodus16:121http://www.crossbooks.com/verse.asp?
ref=Ex+16%3A121).ThechildrenofIsraelwerestarvinginthewilderness.andGodsentthemthe
manna.thefoodfromheavenbuttherewasoneconditiontheymustgatheronlyenoughfortheir
immediateneeds.Iftheytriedtogathertoomuch,andtostoreitup,itwentbad.Theyhadtobesatisfied
withenoughfortheday.AsoneRabbiputit:"Theportionofadayinitsday,becausehewhocreatedthe
daycreatedsustenancefortheday."AndasanotherRabbihadit:"Hewhopossesseswhathecaneat
today,andsays,'WhatshallIeattomorrow?'isamanoflittlefaith."Thispetitiontellsustoliveoneday
atatime.Itforbidstheanxiousworrywhichissocharacteristicofthelifewhichhasnotlearnedtotrust
God.
(iii)ByimplicationthispetitiongivesGodhisproperplace.ItadmitsthatitisfromGodwereceivethe
foodwhichisnecessarytosupportlife.Nomanhasevercreatedaseedwhichwillgrow.Thescientist
cananalyseaseedintoitsconstituentelements,butnosyntheticseedwouldevergrow.Alllivingthings
comefromGod.Ourfood,therefore,isthedirectgiftofGod.
(iv)Thispetitionverywiselyremindsusofhowprayerworks.Ifamanprayedthisprayer,andthensat
backandwaitedforbreadtofallintohishands,hewouldcertainlystarve.Itremindsusthatprayerand
workgohandinhandandthatwhenwepraywemustgoontoworktomakeourprayerscometrue.Itis
truethatthelivingseedcomesfromGod,butitisequallytruethatitisman'stasktogrowandto
cultivatethatseed.DickSheppardusedtoloveacertainstory.Therewasamanwhohadanallotment
hehadwithgreattoilreclaimedapieceofground,clearingawaythestones,eradicatingtherankgrowth
ofweeds,enrichingandfeedingtheground,untilitproducedtheloveliestflowersandvegetables.One
eveninghewasshowingapiousfriendaroundhisallotment.Thepiousfriendsaid,"It'swonderfulwhat
Godcandowithabitofgroundlikethis,isn'tit?""Yes."saidthemanwhohadputinsuchtoil,"butyou
shouldhaveseenthisbitofgroundwhenGodhadittohimself!"God'sbountyandman'stoilmust
combine.Prayer,likefaith,withoutworksisdead.Whenwepraythispetitionwearerecognizingtwo
basictruthsthatwithoutGodwecandonothing,andthatwithoutoureffortandcooperationGodcando
nothingforus.
(v)WemustnotethatJesusdidnotteachustopray:"Givememydailybread."Hetaughtustopray:
"Giveusourdailybread."Theproblemoftheworldisnotthatthereisnotenoughtogoroundthereis
enoughandtospare.Theproblemisnotthesupplyoflife'sessentialsitisthedistributionofthem.This
prayerteachesusnevertobeselfishinourprayers.ItisaprayerwhichwecanhelpGodtoanswerby
givingtootherswhoarelessfortunatethanweare.Thisprayerisnotonlyaprayerthatwemayreceive
ourdailybreaditisalsoaprayerthatwemayshareourdailybreadwithothers.
ForgivenessHumanAndDivine(Matthew6:12Matthew6:1415)
6:12,14,15Forgiveusourdebtsasweforgiveourdebtors...Forifyouforgivemen
theirtrespasses,yourheavenlyFatherwillforgiveyoutoobut,ifyoudonotforgive
mentheirtrespasses,neitherwillyourFatherforgiveyourtrespasses.
BeforeamancanhonestlypraythispetitionoftheLord'sPrayerhemustrealizethatheneedstoprayit.
Thatistosay,beforeamancanpraythispetitionhemusthaveasenseofsin.Sinisnotnowadaysa
popularword.Menandwomenratherresentbeingcalled,ortreatedas,helldeservingsinners.
Thetroubleisthatmostpeoplehaveawrongconceptionofsin.Theywouldreadilyagreethattheburglar,
thedrunkard,themurderer,theadulterer,thefoulmouthedpersonisasinner.Buttheyareguiltyofnone
ofthesesinstheylivedecent,ordinary,respectablelives,andhaveneverevenbeenindangerof
appearingincourt,orgoingtoprison,orgettingsomenotorietyinthenewspapers.Theythereforefeel
thatsinhasnothingtodowiththem.
TheNewTestamentusesfivedifferentwordsforsin.
(i)Thecommonestwordishamartia(Greek#266).Thiswasoriginallyashootingwordandmeansa
missingofthetarget.Tofailtohitthetargetwashamartia.Thereforesinisthefailuretobewhatwe
mighthavebeenandcouldhavebeen.
CharlesLambhasapictureofamannamedSamuelleGrice.LeGricewasabrilliantyouthwhonever
fulfilledhispromise.Lambsaysthattherewerethreestagesinhiscareer.Therewasatimewhenpeople
said,"Hewilldosomething."Therewasatimewhenpeoplesaid,"Hecoulddosomethingifhewould."
Therewasatimewhenpeoplesaid,"Hemighthavedonesomething,ifhehadliked."EdwinMuirwrites
inhisAutobiography:"Afteracertainageallofus,goodandbad,aregriefstrickenbecauseofpowers
withinuswhichhaveneverbeenrealized:because,inotherwords,wearenotwhatweshouldbe."
Thatpreciselyishamartia(Greek#266)andthatispreciselythesituationinwhichweareallinvolved.
Areweasgoodhusbandsorwivesaswecouldbe?Areweasgoodsonsordaughtersaswecouldbe?
Areweasgoodworkmenoremployersaswecouldbe?Isthereanyonewhowilldaretoclaimthatheis
allhemighthavebeen,andhasdoneallhecouldhavedone?Whenwerealisethatsinmeansthefailure
tohitthetarget,thefailuretobeallthatwemighthavebeenandcouldhavebeen,thenitisclearthat
everyoneofusisasinner.
(ii)Thesecondwordforsinisparabasis(Greek#3847),whichliterallymeansasteppingacross.Sinis
thesteppingacrossthelinewhichisdrawnbetweenrightandwrong.
Dowealwaysstayontherightsideofthelinewhichdivideshonestyanddishonesty?Isthereneverany
suchthingasapettydishonestyinourlives?
Dowealwaysstayontherightsideofthelinewhichdividestruthandfalsehood?Dowenever,byword
orbysilence,twistorevadeordistortthetruth?
Dowealwaysstayontherightsideofthelinewhichdivideskindnessandcourtesyfromselfishnessand
harshness?Isthereneveranunkindactionoradiscourteouswordinourlives?
Whenwethinkofitinthisway,therecanbenonewhocanclaimalwaystohaveremainedontheright
sideofthedividingline.
(iii)Thethirdwordforsinisparaptoma(Greek#3900),whichmeansaslippingacross.Itisthekindof
slipwhichamanmightmakeonaslipperyoranicyroad.Itisnotsodeliberateasparabasis(Greek
#3847).Againandagainwespeakofwordsslippingoutagainandagainwearesweptawaybysome
impulseorpassion,whichhasmomentarilygainedcontrolofus,andwhichhasmadeusloseourself
control.Thebestofuscanslipintosinwhenforthemomentweareoffourguard.
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(iv)Thefourthwordforsinisanomia(Greek#458),whichmeanslawlessness.Anomiaisthesinofthe
manwhoknowstheright,andwhoyetdoesthewrongthesinofthemanwhoknowsthelaw,andwho
yetbreaksthelaw.Thefirstofallthehumaninstinctsistheinstincttodowhatwelikeandtherefore
therecomeintoanyman'slifetimeswhenhewishestokickoverthetraces,andtodefythelaw,andto
doortotaketheforbiddenthing.InMandalay,Kiplingmakestheoldsoldiersay:
ShipmesomewhereseastofSuez,wherethebestisliketheworst,
Wheretherearen'tnoTenCommandments,an'amancanraisea
thirst'
EveniftherearesomewhocansaythattheyhaveneverbrokenanyoftheTenCommandments,there
arenonewhocansaythattheyhaveneverwishedtobreakanyofthem.
(v)Thefifthwordforsinisthewordopheilema(Greek#3783)whichisthewordusedinthebodyofthe
Lord'sPrayerandopheilemameansadebt.Itmeansafailuretopaythatwhichisdue,afailureinduty.
Therecanbenomanwhowilleverdaretoclaimthathehasperfectlyfulfilledhisdutytomanandto
God:Suchperfectiondoesnotexistamongmen.
So,then,whenwecometoseewhatsinreallyis,wecometoseethatitisauniversaldiseaseinwhich
everymanisinvolved.Outwardrespectabilityinthesightofman,andinwardsinfulnessinthesightof
Godmaywellgohandinhand.This,infact,isapetitionoftheLord'sPrayerwhicheverymanneedsto
pray.
ForgivenessHumanAndDivine(Matthew6:12Matthew6:1415Continued)
NotonlydoesamanneedtorealizethatheneedstopraythispetitionoftheLord'sPrayerhealsoneeds
torealizewhatheisdoingwhenhepraysit.OfallpetitionsoftheLord'sPrayerthisisthemost
frightening.
"Forgiveusourdebtsasweforgiveourdebtors."Theliteralmeaningis:"Forgiveusoursinsin
proportionasweforgivethosewhohavesinnedagainstus."InMatthew6:1415Jesussaysinthe
plainestpossiblelanguagethatifweforgiveothers,Godwillforgiveusbutifwerefusetoforgiveothers,
Godwillrefusetoforgiveus.Itis,therefore,quiteclearthat,ifwepraythispetitionwithanunhealed
breach,anunsettledquarrelinourlives,weareaskingGodnottoforgiveus.
Ifwesay,"Iwillneverforgivesoandsoforwhatheorshehasdonetome,"ifwesay,"Iwillneverforget
whatsoandsodidtome,"andthengoandtakethispetitiononourlips,wearequitedeliberatelyasking
Godnottoforgiveus.Assomeonehasputit:"Forgiveness,likepeace,isoneandindivisible."Human
forgivenessanddivineforgivenessareinextricablyintercombined.Ourforgivenessofourfellowmenand
God'sforgivenessofuscannotbeseparatedtheyareinterlinkedandinterdependent.Ifweremembered
whatwearedoingwhenwetakethispetitiononourlips,therewouldbetimeswhenwewouldnotdareto
prayit.
WhenRobertLouisStevensonlivedintheSouthSeaIslandsheusedalwaystoconductfamilyworship
inthemorningsforhishousehold.ItalwaysconcludedwiththeLord'sPrayer.Onemorninginthemiddle
oftheLord'sPrayerherosefromhiskneesandlefttheroom.Hishealthwasalwaysprecarious,andhis
wifefollowedhimthinkingthathewasill."Isthereanythingwrong?"shesaid."Onlythis,"said
Stevenson,"IamnotfittopraytheLord'sPrayertoday."NooneisfittopraytheLord'sPrayersolongas
theunforgivingspiritholdsswaywithinhisheart.Ifamanhasnotputthingsrightwithhisfellowmen,he
cannotputthingsrightwithGod.
IfwearetohavethisChristianforgivenessinourlives,threethingsarenecessary.
(i)Wemustlearntounderstand.Thereisalwaysareasonwhyapersondoessomething.Ifheisboorish
andimpoliteandcrosstempered,maybeheisworriedorinpain.Ifhetreatsuswithsuspicionand
dislike,maybehehasmisunderstood,orhasbeenmisinformedaboutsomethingwehavesaidordone.
Maybethemanisthevictimofhisownenvironmentorhisownheredity.Maybehistemperamentissuch
thatlifeisdifficultandhumanrelationsaproblemforhim.Forgivenesswouldbeverymucheasierforus,
ifwetriedtounderstandbeforeweallowedourselvestocondemn.
(ii)Wemustlearntoforget.Solongaswebrooduponaslightoraninjury,thereisnohopethatwewill
forgive.Wesooftensay,"Ican'tforgetwhatsoandsodidtome,"or"IwillneverforgethowIwas
treatedbysuchandsuchapersonorinsuchandsuchaplace."Thesearedangeroussayings,because
wecanintheendmakeithumanlyimpossibleforustoforget.Wecanprintthememoryindeliblyupon
ourminds.
OncethefamousScottishmanofletters,AndrewLang,wroteandpublishedaverykindreviewofabook
byayoungman.Theyoungmanrepaidhimwithabitterandinsultingattack.Aboutthreeyearslater
AndrewLangwasstayingwithRobertBridges,thePoetLaureate.BridgessawLangreadingacertain
book."Why,"hesaid,"that'sanotherbookbythatungratefulyoungcubwhobehavedsoshamefullyto
you."TohisastonishmenthefoundthatAndrewLang'smindwasablankonthewholeaffair.Hehad
completelyforgottenthebitterandinsultingattack.Toforgive,saidBridges,wasthesignofagreatman,
buttoforgetwassublime.NothingbutthecleansingspiritofChristcantakefromthesememoriesofours
theoldbitternessthatwemustforget.
(iii)Wemustlearntolove.WehavealreadyseenthatChristianlove,agape(Greek#26),isthat
unconquerablebenevolence,thatundefeatablegoodwill,whichwillneverseekanythingbutthehighest
goodofothers,nomatterwhattheydotous,andnomatterhowtheytreatus.Thatlovecancometous
onlywhenChrist,whoisthatlove,comestodwellwithinourheartsandhecannotcomeunlessweinvite
him.
Tobeforgivenwemustforgive,andthatisaconditionofforgivenesswhichonlythepowerofChristcan
enableustofulfil.
TheOrdealOfTemptation(Matthew6:13)
6:13Andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromtheEvilOne.
Therearetwomattersofmeaningatwhichwemustlookbeforewebegintostudythispetitionindetail.
(i)TomodernearsthewordtemptisalwaysabadworditalwaysmeanstoseektoseduceintoevilBut
intheBibletheverbpeirazein(Greek#3985)isoftenbettertranslatedbythewordtestthanbytheword
tempt.InitsNewTestamentusagetotemptapersonisnotsomuchtoseektoseducehimintosin,asit
istotesthisstrengthandhisloyaltyandhisabilityforservice.
IntheOldTestamentwereadthestoryofhowGodtestedtheloyaltyofAbrahambyseemingtodemand
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thesacrificeofhisonlysonIsaac.IntheKingJamesVersionthestorybegins:"Anditcametopassthat
GoddidtemptAbraham"(Genesis22:1).Obviouslythewordtemptcannottheremeantoseektoseduce
intosin,forthatissomethingthatGodwouldneverdo.Itmeansrathertosubmittoatestofloyaltyand
obedience.WhenwereadthestoryofthetemptationsofJesus,itbegins:"ThenJesuswasledupbythe
Spiritintothewildernesstobetemptedbythedevil"(Matthew4:1).Ifwetakethewordtemptthereinthe
senseoftoseduceintosin,itmakestheHolySpiritapartnerinanattempttocompelJesustosin.Time
andagainintheBiblewewillfindthatthewordtempthastheideaoftestinginit,atleastasmuchasthe
ideaofseekingtoleadintosin.
Here,then,isoneofthegreatandprecioustruthsabouttemptation.Temptationisnotdesignedtomake
usfall.Temptationisdesignedtomakeusstrongerandbettermenandwomen.Temptationisnot
designedtomakeussinners.Itisdesignedtomakeusgood.Wemayfailinthetest,butwearenot
meantto.Wearemeanttoemergestrongerandfiner.Inonesensetemptationisnotsomuchthepenalty
ofbeingamanitisthegloryofbeingaman.Ifmetalistobeusedinagreatengineeringproject,itis
testedatstressesandstrainsfarbeyondthosewhichitiseverlikelytohavetobear.Soamanhastobe
testedbeforeGodcanusehimgreatlyinhisservice.
AllthatistruebutitisalsotruethattheBibleisneverinanydoubtthatthereisapowerofevilinthis
world.TheBibleisnotaspeculativebook,anditdoesnotdiscusstheoriginofthatpowerofevil,butit
knowsthatitisthere.QuitecertainlythispetitionoftheLord'sPrayershouldbetranslatednot,"Deliver
usfromevil,"but,"DeliverusfromtheEvilOne."TheBibledoesnotthinkofevilasanabstractprinciple
orforce,butasanactive,personalpowerinoppositiontoGod.
ThedevelopmentoftheideaofSatanintheBibleisofthegreatestinterest.InHebrewthewordSatan
simplymeansanadversary.Itcanoftenbeusedofmen.Aman'sadversaryishisSatan.IntheKing
JamesVersionthePhilistinesareafraidthatDavidmayturnouttobetheirSatan(1Samuel29:4):
SolomondeclaresthatGodhasgivenhimsuchpeaceandprosperitythatthereisnoSatanlefttooppose
him(1Kings5:4)DavidregardsAbishaiashisSatan(2Samuel19:22).InallthesecasesSatanmeans
anadversaryoropponent.FromthatthewordSatangoesontomeanonewhopleadsacaseagainst
someone.Thenthewordleavesearthand,asitwere,entersheaven.TheJewshadtheideathatin
heaventherewasanangelwhosechargeitwastostatethecaseagainstaman,akindofprosecuting
angelandthatbecamethefunctionofSatan.AtthatstageSatanisnotanevilpowerheispartofthe
judgmentapparatusofheaven.InJob1:6,SatanisnumberedamongthesonsofGod:"Nowtherewasa
daywhenthesonsofGodcametopresentthemselvesbeforetheLord,andSatanalsocameamong
them."AtthisstageSatanisthedivineprosecutorofman.
Butitisnotsoveryfarastepfromstatingacaseagainstamantomakingupacaseagainstaman.
Andthatisthenextstep.TheothernameofSatanistheDevilandDevilcomesfromtheGreekword
Diabolos(Greek#1228),whichistheregularwordforaslanderer.SoSatanbecomestheDevil,the
slandererparexcellence,theadversaryofman,thepowerwhoisouttofrustratethepurposesofGodand
toruinmankind.SatancomestostandforeverythingwhichisantimanandantiGod.Itisfromthat
ruiningpowerthatJesusteachesustopraytobedelivered.Theoriginofthatpowerisnotdiscussed
therearenospeculations.Assomeonehasputit:"Ifamanwakesupandfindshishouseonfire,he
doesnotsitdowninachairandwriteorreadatreatiseontheoriginoffiresinprivatehouseshe
attemptstotrytoextinguishthefireandtosavehishouse."SotheBiblewastesnotimeinspeculations
abouttheoriginofevil.Itequipsmantofightthebattleagainsttheevilwhichisunquestionablythere.
TheAttackOfTemptation(Matthew6:13Continued)
Lifeisalwaysunderattackfromtemptation,butnoenemycanlaunchaninvasionuntilhefindsa
bridgehead.Wherethendoestemptationfinditsbridgehead?Wheredoourtemptationscomefrom?To
beforewarnedistobeforearmed,and,ifweknowwhencetheattackislikelytocome,wewillhavea
betterchancetoovercomeit.
(i)Sometimestheattackoftemptationcomesfromoutsideus.Therearepeoplewhoseinfluenceisbad.
Therearepeopleinwhosecompanyitwouldbeverydifficulteventosuggestdoingadishonourablething,
andtherearepeopleinwhosecompanyitiseasytodothewrongthings.WhenRobertBurnswasa
youngmanhewenttoIrvinetolearnflaxdressing.TherehefellinwithacertainRobertBrown,whowas
amanwhohadseenmuchoftheworld,andwhohadafascinatingandadominatingpersonality.Burns
tellsusthatheadmiredhimandstrovetoimitatehim.Burnsgoeson:"HewastheonlymanIeversaw
whowasagreaterfoolthanmyselfwhenWomanwastheguidingstar....Hespokeofacertain
fashionablefailingwithlevity,whichhithertoIhadregardedwithhorror....Herehisfriendshipdidmea
mischief."Therearefriendshipsandassociationswhichcandousamischief.Inatemptingworldaman
shouldbeverycarefulinhischoiceoffriendsandofthesocietyinwhichhewillmove.Heshouldgive
thetemptationswhichcomefromoutsideaslittlechanceaspossible.
(ii)Itisoneofthetragicfactsoflifethattemptationscancometousfromthosewholoveusandofall
kindsoftemptationthisisthehardesttofight.Itcomesfrompeoplewholoveusandwhohavenotthe
slightestintentionofharmingus.
Thekindofthingthathappensisthis.Amanmayknowthatheoughttotakeacertaincourseofaction
hemayfeeldivinelydrawntoacertaincareerbuttofollowthatcourseofactionmayinvolveunpopularity
andrisktoacceptthatcareermaybetogiveupallthattheworldcallssuccess.Itmaywellbethatin
suchcircumstancesthosewholovehimwillseektodissuadehimfromactingasheknowsheought,and
theywilldosobecausetheylovehim.Theycounselcaution,prudence,worldlywisdomtheywanttosee
theonetheylovedowellinaworldlysensetheydonotwishtoseehimthrowhischancesawayandso
theyseektostophimdoingwhatheknowstoberightforhim.
InGarethandLynetteTennysontellsthestoryofGareth,theyoungestsonofLotandBellicent.Gareth
wishestojointhisbrothersintheserviceofKingArthur.Bellicenthismotherdoesnotwishhimtogo.
"Hastthounopityonmyloneliness?"sheasks.HisfatherLotisoldandlies"likealogallbut
smoulderedout."BothhisbrothershavegonetoArthur'scourt.Musthegotoo?Ifhewillstayathome,
shewillarrangethehunt,andfindhimaprincessforhisbride,andmakehimhappy.Itwasbecauseshe
lovedhimthatshewishedtokeephimthetempterwasspeakingwiththeveryvoiceoflove.ButGareth
answers:
"Omother,
Howcanyoukeepmetetheredtoyoushame.
ManamIgrown,andman'sworkmustIdo.
Followthedeer?FollowtheChristtheKing.
Livepure,speaktrue,rightwrong,followtheKing
Else,whereforeborn?"
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Theladwentout,butthevoiceoflovetemptedhimtostay.
ThatwaswhathappenedtoJesus."Aman'sfoes,"saidJesus,"willbethoseofhisownhousehold"
(Matthew10:36).Theycameandtheytriedtotakehimhome,becausetheysaidthathewasmad(Mark
3:21).Tothemheseemedtobethrowinghislifeandhiscareerawaytothemheseemedtobemakinga
foolofhimselfandtheytriedtostophim.Sometimesthebitterestofalltemptationscometousfromthe
voiceoflove.
(iii)Thereisoneveryoddwayinwhichtemptationcancome,especiallytoyoungerpeople.Thereisin
mostofusaqueerstreak,which,atleastincertaincompany,makesuswishtoappearworsethanwe
are.Wedonotwishtoappearsoftandpious,nambypambyandholy.Wewouldratherbethought
daredevil,swashbucklingadventurers,menoftheworldandnotinnocents.Augustinehasafamous
passageinhisconfessions:"AmongmyequalsIwasashamedofbeinglessshamelessthanothers,
whenIheardthemboastoftheirwickedness....AndItookpleasurenotonlyinthepleasureofthedeed
butinthepraise....ImademyselfworsethanIwas,thatImightnotbereproached,andwheninanything
Ihadnotsinnedasthemostabandonedones,IwouldsaythatIhaddonewhatIhadnotdone,thatI
mightnotseemcontemptible."Manyamanhasbegunonsomeindulgence,orintroducedhimselfto
somehabit,becausehedidnotwishtoappearlessexperiencedinworldlinessthanthecompanyinwhich
hehappenedtobe.Oneofthegreatdefencesagainsttemptationissimplythecouragetobegood.
TheAttackOfTemptation(Matthew6:13Continued)
(iv)Buttemptationcomesnotonlyfromoutsideusitcomesfrominsideustoo.Iftherewasnothingin
ustowhichtemptationcouldappealthenitwouldbehelplesstodefeatus.Ineveryoneofusthereis
someweakspotandatthatweakspottemptationlaunchesitsattack.
Thepointofvulnerabilitydiffersinallofus.Whatisaviolenttemptationtooneman,leavesanotherman
quiteunmovedandwhatleavesonemanquiteunmovedmaybeanirresistibletemptationtoanother.Sir
JamesBarriehasaplaycalledTheWill.Mr.Davizes,thelawyer,noticedthatanoldclerk,whohadbeen
inhisserviceformanyyears,waslookingveryill.Heaskedhimifanythingwasthematter.Theoldman
toldhimthathisdoctorhadinformedhimthathewassufferingfromafatalandincurabledisease.
MrDevizes[uncomfortably]:I'msureit'snotwhatyoufear.
Anyspecialistwouldtellyouso.
Surtees[withoutlookingup]:I'vebeentoone,siryesterday.
MrDevizes:Well?
Surtees:It'sthat,sir.
MrDevizes:Hecouldn'tbesure.
Surtees:Yes,sir.
MrDevizes:Anoperation
Surtees:Toolateforthat,hesaid.IfIhadbeenoperatedon
longago,Imighthavehadachance.
MrDevizes:Butyoudidn'thaveitlongago.
Surtees:Nottomyknowledge,sirbuthesaysitwasthereall
thesame,alwaysinme,ablackspot,notasbigasapin's
head,butwaitingtospreadanddestroymeinthefulnessof
time.
MrDevizes[helplessly]:Itseemsdamnablyunfair.
Surtees[humbly]:Idon'tknow,sir.Hesaysthereisaspotof
thatkindinprettynighallofus,and,ifwedon'tlookout,
itdoesforusintheend.
MrDevizes:No.No.No.
Surtees:Hecalledittheaccursedthing.Ithinkhemeantwe
shouldknowofit,andbeonthewatch.
Ineverymanthereistheweakspot,which,ifheisnotonthewatch,canruinhim.Somewhereinevery
manthereistheflaw,somefaultoftemperamentwhichcanruinlife,someinstinctorpassionsostrong
thatitmayatanytimesnaptheleash,somequirkinourmakeupthatmakeswhatisapleasureto
someoneelseamenacetous.Weshouldrealizeit,andbeonthewatch.
(v)But,strangelyenough,temptationcomessometimesnotfromourweakestpoint,butfromour
strongestpoint.Ifthereisonethingofwhichweareinthehabitofsaying."Thatisonethinganyway
whichIwouldneverdo,"itisjusttherethatweshouldbeuponthewatch.Historyisfullofthestoriesof
castleswhichweretakenjustatthepointwherethedefendersthoughtthemsostrongthatnoguardwas
necessary.Nothinggivestemptationitschancelikeoverconfidence.Atourweakestandatourstrongest
pointswemustbeuponthewatch.
TheDefenseAgainstTemptation(Matthew6:13Continued)
Wehavethoughtoftheattackoftemptationletusnowassembleourdefencesagainsttemptation.
(i)Thereisthesimpledefenceofselfrespect.WhenNehemiah'slifewasindanger,itwassuggestedthat
heshouldquithisworkandshuthimselfintheTempleuntilthedangerwaspast.Hisanswerwas:
"ShouldsuchamanasIflee?AndwhatmansuchasIcouldgointothetempleandlive?Iwillnotgoin"
(Nehemiah6:11).Amanmayescapemanythings,buthecannotescapehimself.Hemustlivewithhis
memories,andifhehaslosthisselfrespectlifebecomesintolerable.OncePresidentGarfieldwasurged
totakeaprofitable,butdishonourable,courseofaction.Itwassaid,"Noonewilleverknow."Hisanswer
was,"PresidentGarfieldwillknowandI'vegottosleepwithhim."Whenamanistempted,hemaywell
defendhimselfbysaying,"Isamanlikemegoingtodoathinglikethat?"
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(ii)Thereisthedefenceoftradition.Nomancanlightlyfailthetraditionsandtheheritageintowhichhe
hasentered,andwhichhavetakengenerationstobuildup.WhenPericles,thegreatestofthestatesmen
ofAthens,wasgoingtoaddresstheAthenianAssembly,healwayswhisperedtohimself:"Pericles,
rememberthatyouareanAthenianandthatyougotospeaktoAthenians."
OneoftheepicsoftheSecondWorldWarwasthedefenceofTobruk.TheColdstreamGuardscuttheir
wayoutofTobruk,butonlyahandfulofthemsurvived,andeventhesewerejustshadowsofmen.Two
hundredsurvivorsoutoftwobattalionswerebeingcaredforbytheR.A.F.AColdstreamGuardsofficer
wasinthemess.Anotherofficersaidtohim,"Afterall,asFootGuards,youhadnooptionbuttohavea
go."AndanR.A.F.manstandingtheresaid,"ItmustbeprettytoughtobeintheBrigadeofGuards,
becausetraditioncompelsyoutocarryonirrespectiveofcircumstances."
Thepowerofatraditionisoneofthegreatestthingsinlife.Webelongtoacountry,aschool,afamily,a
Church.Whatwedoaffectsthattowhichwebelong.Wecannotlightlybetraythetraditionsintowhichwe
haveentered.
(iii)Thereisthedefenceofthosewhomweloveandthosewholoveus.Manyamanwouldsin,ifthe
onlypenaltyhehadtobearwasthepenaltyhewouldhavetobearhimselfbutheissavedfromsin
becausehecouldnotmeetthepainthatwouldappearinsomeone'seyes,ifhemadeshipwreckofhis
life.
LauraRichardshasaparablelikethis:
"Amansatbythedoorofhishousesmokinghispipe,andhis
neighboursatbesidehimandtemptedhim.'Youarepoor,'said
theneighbour,'andyouareoutofworkandhereisawayof
betteringyourself.Itwillbeaneasyjobanditwillbringin
money,anditisnomoredishonestthanthingsthataredone
everydaybyrespectablepeople.Youwillbeafooltothrow
awaysuchachanceasthis.Comewithmeandwewillsettlethe
matteratonce.'Andthemanlistened.Justthenhisyoungwife
cametothedoorofthecottageandshehadherbabyinher
arms.'Willyouholdthebabyforaminute,'shesaid.'Heis
fretfulandImusthangouttheclothestodry.'Themantook
thebabyandheldhimonhisknees.Andasheheldhim,the
childlookedup,andtheeyesofthechildspoke:'Iamfleshof
yourflesh,'saidthechild'seyes.'Iamsoulofyoursoul.
WhereyouleadIshallfollow.Leadtheway,father.Myfeet
comeafteryours.'Thensaidthemantohisneighbour:'Go,
andcomeherenomore.'"
Amanmightbeperfectlywillingtopaythepriceofsin,ifthatpriceaffectedonlyhimself.Butifhe
remembersthathissinwillbreaksomeoneelse'sheart,hewillhaveastrongdefenceagainsttemptation.
(iv)ThereisthedefenceofthepresenceofJesusChrist.Jesusisnotafigureinabookheisaliving
presence.Sometimesweask,"Whatwouldyoudo,ifyousuddenlyfoundChriststandingbesideyou?
Howwouldyoulive,ifJesusChristwasaguestinyourhouse?"ButthewholepointoftheChristianfaith
isthatJesusChristisbesideus,andheisaguestineveryhome.Hisistheunescapablepresence,and,
therefore,wemustmakealllifefitforhimtosee.Wehaveastrongdefenceagainsttemptationinthe
memoryofthecontinualpresenceofJesusChrist.
HowNotToFast(Matthew6:1618)
6:1618Whenyoufast,don'tputonasadface,asthehypocritesdo,forthey
disfiguretheirfaces,sothatallmenmayseethattheyarefasting.ThisisthetruthI
tellyoutheyarepaidinfull.Butwhenyoufast,anointyourheadandwashyour
face,sothattomenyoumaynotlookasifyouwerefasting,buttoyourFatherwho
isinsecretandyourFather,whoseeswhathappensinsecret,willgiveyouyour
rewardinfull.
Tothisdayfastingisanessentialpartofthereligiouslifeintheeast.TheMohammedanstrictlykeeps
thefastofRamadan,whichfallsintheninthmonthoftheMohammedanyear,andwhichcommemorates
thefirstrevelationwhichcametoMohammed.Thefastlastsfromdawnwhenitislightenoughto
distinguishawhitethreadfromablackthreaduntilsunset.Bathing,drinking,smoking,smelling
perfumes,eating,everyunnecessaryindulgenceisforbidden.Nursesandpregnantwomenareexempt.
Soldiersandthoseonajourneyareexcused,butmustatsomeothertimefastforanequivalentnumber
ofdays.Ifforhealth'ssakeamanmusthavefood,hemustmakegoodhisbreachofthelawoffasting
bygivingalmstothepoor.
TheJewishfastingcustomswereexactlythesame.Itistobenotedthat,aswehavesaid,fastinglasted
fromdawntosunsetoutsidethattimenormalmealscouldbeeaten.FortheJew,inthetimeofJesus,
therewasonlyonecompulsoryfast,thefastontheDayofAtonement.Onthatdayfrommorningto
evening,allmenhad"toafflictthemselves"(Leviticus16:31).TheJewishscriballawlaysitdown:"On
theDayofAtonementitisforbiddentoeat,ortodrink,ortobathe,ortoanointoneself,ortowear
sandals,ortoindulgeinconjugalintercourse."Evenyoungchildrenhadtobetrainedtosomemeasureof
fastingontheDayofAtonementsothat,whentheygrewup,theywouldbepreparedtoacceptthe
nationalfast.
But,althoughtherewasonlytheonecompulsory,universaldayoffasting,theJewsmadegreatuseof
privatefasting.
Therewasthefastingwhichwasconnectedwithmourning.Betweenthetimeofdeathandburial
mournersmustabstainfromallfleshandwine.Therewasfastingtoexpiatesomesin.Itwassaid,for
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instance,theReubenfastedforsevenyearsforhisshareinthesellingofJoseph:"Hedranknowineor
otherliquornofleshpassedhislips,andheatenoappetisingfood"(TheTestamentofReuben1:10).
Forthesamereason,"Simeonafflictedhissoulwithfastingfortwoyears,becausehehadhatedJoseph"
(TheTestimonyofSimeon3:4).InrepentanceofhissinwithTamar,itwassaidthatJudahtohisoldage
"tookneitherwinenorflesh,andsawnopleasure"(TheTestamentofJudah15:4).Itisfairtosaythat
Jewishthoughtsawnovalueinfastingapartfromrepentance.Thefastwasonlydesignedtobetheouter
expressionofaninwardsorrow.ThewriterofEcclesiasticus(Sirach31:30)says,"Amanwhofaststoget
ridofhissins,andgoesagainanddoesthesamethingwhowilllistentohisprayer,andwhatprofitis
thereinhishumblinghimself?"
Inmanycasesfastingwasanactofnationalpenitence.Sothewholenationfastedafterthedisasterof
thecivilwarwithBenjamin(20:26).Samuelmadethepeoplefastbecausetheyhadstrayedawayafter
Baal(1Samuel7:6).Nehemiahmadethepeoplefastandconfesstheirsins(Nehemiah9:1).Againand
againthenationfastedasasignofnationalpenitencebeforeGod.
Sometimesfastingwasapreparationforrevelation.Mosesinthemountainfastedforfortydaysandforty
nights(Exodus24:15).DanielfastedasheawaitedGod'sword(Daniel9:3).Jesushimselffastedashe
awaitedtheordealoftemptation(Matthew4:2).Thiswasasoundprinciple,forwhenthebodyismost
disciplined,thementalandthespiritualfacultiesaremostalert.Sometimesfastingwasanappealto
God.If,forinstance,therainsfailedandtheharvestwasinjeopardy,anationalfastwouldbecalledas
anappealtoGod.
InJewishfastingtherewerereallythreemainideasinthemindsofmen.
(i)FastingwasadeliberateattempttodrawtheattentionofGodtothepersonwhofasted.Thiswasa
veryprimitiveidea.ThefastingwasdesignedtoattractGod'sattention,andtomakehimnoticethe
personwhothusafflictedhimself.
(ii)Fastingwasadeliberateattempttoprovethatpenitencewasreal.Fastingwasaguaranteeofthe
sincerityofwordsandprayers.Itiseasytoseethattherewasadangerhere,forthatwhichwasmeantto
beaproofofrepentancecouldveryeasilycometoberegardedasasubstituteforrepentance.
(iii)Agreatdealoffastingwasvicarious.Itwasnotdesignedtosaveaman'sownsoulsomuchasto
moveGodtoliberatethenationfromitsdistresses.Itwasasifspeciallydevotedpeoplesaid,"Ordinary
peoplecannotdothis.Theyaretooinvolvedinworkandintheworld.Wewilldothisextrathingto
counterbalancethenecessarydeficiencyofpietyinothers."
SuchthenwastheJewishtheoryandpracticeoffasting.
HowNotToFast(Matthew6:1618Continued)
Highastheidealoffastingmightbe,thepracticeofitinvolvedcertaininevitabledangers.Thegreat
dangerwasthatamanmightfastasasignofsuperiorpiety,thathisfastingmightbeadeliberate
demonstration,nottoGod,buttomen,ofhowdevotedanddisciplinedapersonhewas.Thatisprecisely
whatJesuswascondemning.Hewascondemningfastingwhenitwasusedasanostentatiousparadeof
piety.TheJewishdaysoffastingwereMondayandThursday.Theseweremarketdays,andintothe
townsandvillages,andespeciallyintoJerusalem,therecrowdedthepeoplefromthecountrytheresult
wasthatthosewhowereostentatiouslyfastingwouldonthosedayshaveabiggeraudiencetoseeand
admiretheirpiety.Thereweremanywhotookdeliberatestepstoseethatotherscouldnotmissthefact
thattheywerefasting.Theywalkedthroughthestreetswithhairdeliberatelyunkemptanddishevelled,
withclothesdeliberatelysoiledanddisarrayed.Theyevenwentthelengthofdeliberatelywhiteningtheir
facestoaccentuatetheirpaleness.Thiswasnoactofhumilityitwasadeliberateactofspiritualpride
andostentation.
ThewisestoftheRabbiswouldhavecondemnedthisasunsparinglyasJesusdid.Theywerequiteclear
thatfastingforitsownsakewasvalueless.Theysaidthatavowofabstinencewaslikeanironcollar
whichprisonershadtowearandhewhoimposedonhimselfsuchavowwassaidtobelikeamanwho
foundsuchacollarlyingabout,andwhomisguidedlystuckhisheadintoit,therebyvoluntarily
undertakingauselessslavery.OneofthefinestthingseversaidistheRabbinicsaying,"Amanwillhave
togiveanaccountonthejudgmentdayforeverygoodthingwhichhemighthaveenjoyed,anddidnot."
Dr.Borehamhasastorywhichisacommentaryonthewrongideaoffasting.AtravellerintheRocky
mountainsfellinwithanoldRomanCatholicpriesthewasamazedtofindsoagedamanstruggling
amidsttherocksandtheprecipicesandthesteeppasses.Thetravelleraskedthepriest,"Whatareyou
doinghere?"Theoldmananswered,"Iamseekingthebeautyoftheworld.""But,"saidthetraveller,
"surelyyouhaveleftitverylateinlife?"Sotheoldmantoldhisstory.Hehadspentnearlyallhislifeina
monasteryhehadneverbeenfurtheroutsideitthanthecloisters.HefellseriouslyHi,andinhisillness
hehadavision.Hesawanangelstandbesidehisbed."Whathaveyoucomefor?"heaskedtheangel.
"Toleadyouhome,"theangelsaid."AndisitaverybeautifulworldtowhichIamgoing?"askedtheold
man."Itisaverybeautifulworldyouareleaving,"saidtheangel."Andthen,"saidtheoldman,"I
rememberedthatIhadseennothingofitexceptthefieldsandthetreesaroundthemonastery."Sohe
saidtotheangel,"ButIhaveseenverylittleoftheworldwhichIamleaving.""Then,"saidtheangel,"I
fearyouwillseeverylittlebeautyintheworldtowhichyouaregoing.""Iwasintrouble,"saidtheold
man,"andIbeggedthatImightstayforjusttwomoreyears.Myprayerwasgranted,andIamspending
allmylittlehoardofgold,andallthetimeIhave,inexploringtheworld'slovelinessandIfinditvery
wonderful!"
Itisthedutyofamantoacceptandenjoytheworld'sloveliness,andnottorejectit.Thereisnoreligious
valueinfastingundertakenforitsownsake,orasanostentatiousdemonstrationofsuperiorpiety.
TheTrueFasting(Matthew6:1618Continued)
AlthoughJesuscondemnedthewrongkindoffasting,hiswordsimplythatthereisawisefasting,in
whichheexpectedthattheChristianwouldtakepart.Thisisathingofwhichfewofuseverthink.There
areveryfewordinarypeopleinwhoselivesfastingplaysanypartatall.Andyettherearemanyreasons
whyawisefastingisanexcellentthing.
(i)Fastingisgoodforhealth.Manyofuslivealifeinwhichitiseasytogetsoftandflabby.Itiseven
possibleforamantoreachthestagewhenhelivestoeatinsteadofeatingtolive.Itwoulddoagreat
manypeopleagreatdealofphysicalgoodtopractisefastingfarmorethantheydo.
(ii)Fastingisgoodforselfdiscipline.Itiseasytobecomealmostcompletelyselfindulgent.Itiseasyto
cometoastagewhenwedenyourselvesnothingwhichitisinourpowertohaveortopayfor.Itwould
domostpeopleagreatdealofgoodtoceaseforsometimeeachweektomaketheirwishesandtheir
desirestheirmaster,andtoexerciseastringentandanantisepticselfdiscipline.
(iii)Fastingpreservesusfrombecomingtheslavesofahabit.Therearenotafewofuswhoindulgein
certainhabitsbecausewefinditimpossibletostopthem.Theyhavebecomesoessentialthatwecannot
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breakthemwedevelopsuchacravingforcertainthingsthatwhatoughttobeapleasurehasbecomea
necessityandtobecutofffromthethingwhichwehavelearnedsotodesirecanbeapurgatory.Ifwe
practicedawisefastingnopleasurewouldbecomeachain,andnohabitwouldbecomeamaster.We
wouldbemastersofourpleasures,andnotourpleasuresmastersofus.
(iv)Fastingpreservestheabilitytodowithoutthings.Oneofthegreattestsofanyman'slifeisthe
numberofthingswhichhehascometoregardasessential.Clearly,thefewerthingsweregardas
essentials,themoreindependentwewillbe.Whenallkindsofthingsbecomeessentials,weareatthe
mercyoftheluxuriesoflife.Itisnobadthingforamantowalkdownastreetofshopwindows,andto
lookinatthem,andremindhimselfofallthethingsthathecandowithout.Somekindoffasting
preservestheabilitytodowithoutthethingswhichshouldneverbeallowedtobecomeessentials.
(v)Fastingmakesusappreciatethingsallthemore.Itmaybethattherewasatimeinlifewhensome
pleasurecamesoseldomthatwereallyenjoyeditwhenitdidcome.Itmaybethatnowadaysthe
appetiteisbluntedthepalateisdulledtheedgeisgoneoffit.Whatwasonceasharppleasurehas
becomesimplyadrugwhichwecannotdowithout.Fastingkeepsthethrillinpleasurebykeeping
pleasurealwaysfreshandnew.
Fastinghasgonealmostcompletelyoutofthelifeoftheordinaryperson.Jesuscondemnedthewrong
kindoffasting,buthenevermeantthatfastingshouldbecompletelyeliminatedfromlifeandliving.We
woulddowelltopractiseitinourownwayandaccordingtoourownneed.Andthereasonforpracticingit
is,
"Sothatearth'sblissmaybeourguide,
Andnotourchain."
THETRUETREASURE(Matthew6:1921)
6:1921Donotlayupforyourselvestreasuresuponearth.wheremothandrust
destroythem,andwherethievesdigthroughandsteal.Layupforyourselves
treasuresinheaven,wheremothandrustdonotdestroythem,andwherethievesdo
notdigthroughandsteal.Forwhereyourtreasureis,therewillyourheartbealso.
Intheordinary,everydaymanagementoflifeitissimplewisdomtogettooneselfonlythosethingswhich
willlast.Whetherwearebuyingasuitofclothes,oramotorcar,oracarpetforthefloor,orasuiteof
furniture,itiscommonsensetoavoidshoddygoods,andtobuythethingswhichhavesolidityand
permanenceandcraftsmanshipwroughtintothem.ThatisexactlywhatJesusissayinghereheistelling
ustoconcentrateonthethingswhichwilllast.
JesuscallsupthreepicturesfromthethreegreatsourcesofwealthinPalestine.
(i)Hetellsmentoavoidthethingsthatthemothcandestroy.
Intheeast,partofaman'swealthoftenconsistedinfineandelaborateclothes.WhenGehazi,the
servantofElisha,wishedtomakesomeforbiddenprofitoutofNaaman,afterhismasterhadcuredhim,
heaskedhimforatalentofsilverandtwofestalgarments(2Kings5:22).Oneofthethingswhich
temptedAchantosinwasabeautifulmantlefromShinar(Joshua7:21).
Butsuchthingswerefoolishthingstosettheheartupon,forthemothsmighteatatthem,whenthey
werestoredaway.andalltheirbeautyandtheirvaluebedestroyed.Therewasnopermanenceabout
possessionslikethat.
(ii)Hetellsmentoavoidthethingsthatrustcandestroy.
Thewordtranslatedrustisbrosis(Greek#1035).Itliterallymeansaneatingaway,butitisnowhereelse
usedtomeanrust.Mostlikelythepictureisthis.Intheeastmanyaman'swealthconsistedinthecorn
andthegrainthathehadstoredawayinhisgreatbarns.Butintothatcornandraintherecouldcomethe
wormsandtheratsandthemice,untilthestorewaspollutedanddestroyed.Inallprobability,the
referenceistothewayinwhichrats,andmice,andworms,andothervermin,couldgetintoagranary
andeatawaythegrain.
Therewasnopermanenceaboutpossessionslikethat.
(iii)Hetellsmentoavoidthetreasure,whichthievescanstealbydiggingthrough.
Thewordwhichisusedfor"todigthrough"(theRevisedStandardVersionhas"breakin")isdiorussein
(Greek#1358).InPalestinethewallsofmanyofthehousesweremadeofnothingstrongerthanbaked
clayandburglarsdideffectanentrybyliterallydiggingthroughthewall.Thereferencehereistotheman
whohashoardedupinhishousealittlestoreofgold,onlytofind,whenhecomeshomeoneday,that
theburglarshavedugthroughhisflimsywallsandthathistreasureisgone.
Thereisnopermanencyaboutatreasurewhichisatthemercyofanyenterprisingthief.
SoJesuswarnsmenagainstthreekindsofpleasuresandpossessions.
(i)Hewarnsthemagainstthepleasureswhichwillwearoutlikeanoldsuitofclothes.Thefinestgarment
intheworld,mothsornomoths,willintheenddisintegrate.Allpurelyphysicalpleasureshaveawayof
wearingout.Ateachsuccessiveenjoymentofthemthethrillbecomeslessthrilling.Itrequiresmoreof
themtoproducethesameeffect.Theyarelikeadrugwhichlosesitsinitialpotencyandwhichbecomes
increasinglylesseffective.Amanisafoolishmanwhofindshispleasuresinthingswhichareboundto
offerdiminishingreturns.
(ii)Hewarnsagainstthepleasureswhichcanbeerodedaway.Thegrainstoreistheinevitablepreyofthe
maraudingratsandmicewhonibbleandgnawawaythegrain.Therearecertainpleasureswhich
inevitablylosetheirattractionasamangrowsolder.Itmaybethatheisphysicallylessabletoenjoy
themitmaybethatashismindmaturestheyceaseinanysensetosatisfyhim.Inlifeamanshould
nevergivehishearttothejoystheyearscantakeawayheshouldfindhisdelightinthethingswhose
thrilltimeispowerlesstoerode.
(iii)Hewarnsagainstthepleasureswhichcanbestolenaway.Allmaterialthingsarelikethatnotoneof
themissecureandifamanbuildshishappinessonthem,heisbuildingonamostinsecurebasis.
Supposeamanarrangeshislifeinsuchawaythathishappinessdependsonhispossessionofmoney
supposeacrashcomesandhewakesuptofindhismoneygonethen,withhiswealth,hishappiness
hasgone.
Ifanymaniswise,hewillbuildhishappinessonthingswhichhecannotlose,thingswhichare
independentofthechancesandthechangesofthislife.Burnswroteofthefleetingthings:
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"Butpleasuresarelikepoppiesspread:
Youseizetheflower,itsbloomisshed
Orlikethesnowfallsintheriver,
Amomentwhitethenmeltsforever."
Anyonewhosehappinessdependsonthingslikethatisdoomedtodisappointment.Anymanwhose
treasureisinthingsisboundtolosehistreasure,forinthingsthereisnopermanence,andnothinglasts
forever.
TREASUREINHEAVEN(Matthew6:1921continued)
TheJewswereveryfamiliarwiththephrasetreasureinheaven.Theyidentifiedsuchtreasurewithtwo
thingsinparticular.
(i)Theysaidthatthedeedsofkindnesswhichamandiduponearthbecamehistreasureinheaven.
TheJewshadafamousstoryaboutacertainKingMonobazofAdiabdnewhobecameaconvertto
Judaism."Monobazdistributedallhistreasurestothepoorintheyearoffamine.Hisbrotherssenttohim
andsaid,'Thyfathersgatheredtreasures,andaddedtothoseoftheirfathers,butthouhastdispersed
yoursandtheirs.'Hesaidtothem,'Myfathersgatheredtreasuresforbelow,Ihavegatheredtreasuresfor
abovetheystoredtreasuresinaplaceoverwhichthehandofmancanrule,butIhavestoredtreasures
inaplaceoverwhichthehandofmancannotrulemyfatherscollectedtreasureswhichbearnointerest,
Ihavegatheredtreasureswhichbearinterestmyfathersgatheredtreasuresofmoney,Ihavegathered
treasuresinsoulsmyfathersgatheredtreasuresforothers,Ihavegatheredtreasuresformyselfmy
fathersgatheredtreasuresinthisworld,Ihavegatheredtreasuresfortheworldtocome.'"
BothJesusandtheJewishRabbisweresurethatwhatisselfishlyhoardedislost,butthatwhatis
generouslygivenawaybringstreasureinheaven.
ThatwasalsotheprincipleoftheChristianChurchinthedaystocome.TheEarlyChurchalwayslovingly
caredforthepoor,andthesick,andthedistressed,andthehelpless,andthoseforwhomnooneelse
cared.InthedaysoftheterribleDecianpersecutioninRome,theRomanauthoritiesbrokeintoa
ChristianChurch.TheywereouttolootthetreasureswhichtheybelievedtheChurchtopossess.The
RomanprefectdemandedfromLaurentius,thedeacon:"Showmeyourtreasuresatonce."Laurentius
pointedatthewidowsandorphanswhowerebeingfed,thesickwhowerebeingnursed,thepoorwhose
needswerebeingsupplied,"These,"hesaid,"arethetreasuresoftheChurch."
TheChurchhasalwaysbelievedthat"whatwekeep,welose,andwhatwespend,wehave."
(ii)TheJewsalwaysconnectedthephrasetreasureinheavenwithcharacter.WhenRabbiYoseben
Kismawasaskedifhewoulddwellinaheathencityonconditionofreceivingveryhighpayforhis
services,herepliedthathewouldnotdwellanywhereexceptinahomeoftheLaw,"for,"hesaid,"inthe
hourofaman'sdepartureneithersilver,norgold,norpreciousstonesaccompanyhim,butonlyhis
knowledgeoftheLaw,andhisgoodworks."AsthegrimSpanishproverbhasit,"Therearenopocketsin
ashroud."
Theonlythingwhichamancantakeoutofthisworldintotheworldbeyondishimselfandthefinerthe
selfhebrings,thegreaterhistreasureinheavenwillbe.
(iii)Jesusendsthissectionbystatingthatwhereaman'streasureis,hisheartistherealso.Ifeverything
thatamanvaluesandsetshisheartuponisonearth,thenhewillhavenointerestinanyworldbeyond
thisworldifallthroughhislifeaman'seyesareoneternity,thenhewillevaluatelightlythethingsofthis
world.Ifeverythingwhichamancountsvaluableisonthisearth,thenhewillleavethisearthreluctantly
andgrudginglyifaman'sthoughtshavebeeneverintheworldbeyond,hewillleavethisworldwith
gladness,becausehegoesatlasttoGod.OnceDr.Johnsonwasshownthroughanoblecastleandits
groundswhenhehadseenrounditheturnedtohiscompanionsandsaid,"Thesearethethingswhich
makeitdifficulttodie."
Jesusneversaidthatthisworldwasunimportantbuthesaidandimpliedoverandoveragainthatits
importanceisnotinitself,butinthattowhichitleads.Thisworldisnottheendoflife,itisastageonthe
wayandthereforeamanshouldneverlosehishearttothisworldandtothethingsofthisworld.His
eyesoughttobeforeverfixedonthegoalbeyond.
THEDISTORTEDVISION(Matthew6:2223)
6:2223Thelightofthebodyistheeye.Sothen,ifyoureyeisgenerous,thewhole
bodywillbefulloflightbutifyoureyeisgrudging,yourwholebodywillbeinthe
dark.If,then,thelightwhichisinyouisdarkness,howgreatisthatdarkness!
Theideabehindthispassageisoneofchildlikesimplicity.Theeyeisregardedasthewindowbywhich
thelightgetsintothewholebody.Thestateofawindowdecideswhatlightgetsintoaroom.Ifthe
windowisclear,clean.andundistorted,thelightwillcomefloodingintotheroom,andwillilluminateevery
cornerofit.Iftheglassofthewindowiscolouredorfrosted,distorted,dirty,orobscure,thelightwillbe
hindered,andtheroomwillnotbelitup.
Theamountoflightwhichgetsintoanyroomdependsonthestateofthewindowthroughwhichithasto
pass.So,then,saysJesus,thelightwhichgetsintoanyman'sheartandsoulandbeingdependsonthe
spiritualstateoftheeyethroughwhichithastopass,fortheeyeisthewindowofthewholebody.
Theviewwetakeofpeopledependsonthekindofeyewehave.Therearecertainobviousthingswhich
canblindoureyesanddistortourvision.
(i)Prejudicecandistortourvision.Thereisnothingwhichsodestroysaman'sjudgmentasprejudice
does.Itpreventshimfromformingtheclear,reasonableandlogicaljudgmentwhichitisthedutyofany
mantoform.Itblindshimaliketothefactsandtothesignificanceofthefacts.
Almostallnewdiscoverieshavehadtofighttheirwayagainstunreasonableprejudice.WhenSirJames
Simpsondiscoveredthevirtuesofchloroformhehadtofightagainsttheprejudiceofthemedicaland
religiousworldofhisday.Oneofhisbiographerswrites:"Prejudice,thecripplingdeterminationtowalk
onlyintimewornpaths,andtoeschewnewways,roseupagainstit,anddidtheirbesttosmotherthe
newfoundblessing.""Manyoftheclergyheldthattotrytoremovetheprimalcurseonwomenwasto
fightagainstdivinelaw."
Oneofthemostnecessarythingsinlifeisthefearlessselfexaminationwhichwillenableustoseewhen
weareactingonprincipleandwhenwearethevictimsofourownunreasonableandunreasoning
prejudices.Inanymanwhoisswayedbyprejudicetheeyeisdarkenedandthevisiondistorted.
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(ii)Jealousycandistortourvision.Shakespearegaveustheclassicexampleofthatinthetragedyof
Othello.Othello,theMoor,wonfamebyhisheroicexploitsandmarriedDesdemona,wholovedhimwith
utterdevotionandcompletefidelity.AsgeneralofthearmyofVenice,OthellopromotedCassioand
passedoverIago.Iagowasconsumedwithjealousy.Bycarefulplottingandthemanipulationoffacts
IagosowedinOthello'smindthesuspicionthatCassioandDesdemonawerecarryingonanintrigue.He
manufacturedevidencetoproveit,andmovedOthellotosuchapassionofjealousythathefinally
murderedDesdemonabysmotheringherwithapillow.A.C.Bradleywrites,"SuchjealousyasOthello's
convertshumannatureintochaos,andliberatesthebeastinman."
Manyamarriageandmanyafriendshiphavebeenwreckedontherockofajealousywhichdistorted
perfectlyinnocentincidentsintoguiltyactions,andwhichblindedtheeyetotruthandfact.
(iii)Selfconceitcandistortourvision.InherbiographyofMarkRutherford,CatherineMacdonaldMaclean
hasacuriouslycausticsentenceaboutJohnChapman,thebooksellerandpublisher,whowasatone
timeMarkRutherford'semployer:"HandsomeintheByronicfashionandpleasantmannered,hewas
exceedinglyattractivetowomen,andhethoughthimselfevenmoreattractivetothemthanheactually
was."
Selfconceitdoublyaffectsaman'svision,foritrendershimincapableofseeinghimselfashereallyis,
andincapableofseeingothersastheyreallyare.Ifamanisconvincedofhisownsurpassingwisdom,
hewillneverbeabletorealisehisownfoolishnessandifheisblindtoeverythingexcepthisownvirtues,
hewillneverbeawareofhisownfaults.Wheneverhecompareshimselfwithothers,hewilldosotohis
ownadvantage,andtotheirdisadvantage.Hewillbeforeverincapableofselfcriticism,andthereforefor
everincapableofselfimprovement.Thelightinwhichheshouldseehimselfandseeotherswillbe
darkness.
THENECESSITYOFTHEGENEROUSEYE(Matthew6:2223continued)
ButhereJesusspeaksofonespecialvirtuewhichfillstheeyewithlight,andonespecialfaultwhichfills
theeyewithdarkness.TheKingJamesVersionspeakshereabouttheeyebeingsingleandtheeye
beingevilCertainlythatistheliteralmeaningoftheGreek,butthewordssingleandevilarehereusedin
aspecialwaywhichiscommonenoughintheGreekinwhichscriptureiswritten.
Thewordforsingleishaplous(Greek#573),anditscorrespondingnounishaplotes(Greek#572).
RegularlyintheGreekoftheBiblethesewordsmeangenerousandgenerosity.JamesspeaksofGod
whogivesgenerously(James1:5),andtheadverbheusesishaplos(Greek#574).SimilarlyinRomans
12:8,Paulurgeshisfriendstogiveinliberality(haplos,Greek#574).PaulremindstheCorinthianChurch
oftheliberality(haplotes,Greek#574)oftheChurchesinMacedonia,andtalksabouttheirown
generositytoallmen(2Corinthians9:11).ItisthegenerouseyewhichJesusiscommending.
ThewordwhichisintheKingJamesVersiontranslatedevilisponeros(Greek#4190).Certainlythatis
thenormalmeaningofthewordbutbothintheNewTestamentandintheSeptuagintponeros(Greek
#4190)regularlymeansniggardlyorgrudging.Deuteronomyspeaksofthedutyoflendingtoabrotherwho
isinneed.Butthematterwascomplicatedbythefactthateveryseventhyearwasayearofrelease
whendebtswerecancelled.Itmight,therefore,verywellhappenthat,iftheseventhyearwasnear,a
cautiousmanmightrefusetohelp,lestthepersonhelpedmighttakeadvantageoftheseventhyear
nevertorepayhisdebt.Sothelawlaysitdown:"Takeheedlesttherebeabasethoughtinyourheart,
andyousay,'Theseventhyear,theyearofreleaseisnear,'andyoureyebehostiletoyourpoorbrother,
andyougivehimnothing"(Deuteronomy15:9).Clearlyponeros(Greek#4190)theremeansniggardly,
grudgingandungenerous.Itistheadviceoftheproverb:"Donoteatthebreadofamanwhoisstingy"
(Proverbs23:6).Thatistosay,"Don'tbeaguestinthehouseofamanwhogrudgesyoueverybiteyou
eat."Anotherproverbhasit:"Amiserlymanhastensafterwealth"(Proverbs28:22).
SoJesusissaying,"Thereisnothinglikegenerosityforgivingyouaclearandundistortedviewoflife
andofpeopleandthereisnothinglikethegrudgingandungenerousspiritfordistortingyourviewoflife
andofpeople."
(i)Wemustbegenerousinourjudgmentsofothers.Itischaracteristicofhumannaturetothinkthe
worst,andtofindamalignantdelightinrepeatingtheworst.Everydayinlifethereputationsofperfectly
innocentpeoplearemurderedovertheteacupsbygossipinggroupswhosejudgmentsaredippedin
poison.Theworldwouldbesavedagreatdealofheartbreak,ifwewouldputthebest,andnottheworst,
constructionontheactionsofotherpeople.
(ii)Wemustbegenerousinouractions.InherbiographyofMarkRutherford,CatherineMacdonald
MacleanspeaksofthedayswhenMarkRutherfordcametoworkinLondon:"Itwasaboutthistimethat
therecanbenotedinhimthebeginningofthat'cherishingpityforthesoulsofmen'whichwastobecome
habitualwithhim....Theburningquestionwithhim,hauntedashewasattimesbythefateofmanyinthe
districtinwhichhelived,was,'WhatcanIdo?WhereincanIhelpthem?'Itseemedtohimthen,as
always,thatanykindofactionwasofmorevaluethanthemostvehementindignationthatspentitselfin
talk."WhenMarkRutherfordwaswithChapmanthepublisher,GeorgeEliot,orMarianEvansasherreal
namewas,livedandworkedinthesameplace.Onethingimpressedhimabouther:"Shewaspoor.She
hadonlyasmallincomeofherownand,althoughshehopedtoearnalivelihoodasawomanofletters,
herfuturewasveryuncertain.Butshewasfantasticallygenerous.Shewasalwayshelpinglamedogs
overstiles,andthepovertyofotherspressedonhermorethanherown.Sheweptmorebitterlybecause
shecouldnotadequatelyrelieveasister'spovertythanbecauseofanyofherownprivations."
Itiswhenwebegintofeellikethatthatwebegintoseepeopleandthingsclearly.Itisthenthatoureye
becomesfulloflight.
Therearethreegreatevilsoftheungenerousspirit,oftheeyethatisgrudging.
(i)Itmakesitimpossibletolivewithourselves.Ifamanisforeverenvyinganotherhissuccess,
grudginganotherhishappiness,shuttinghisheartagainstanother'sneed,hebecomesthatmostpitiable
ofcreaturesamanwithagrudge.Theregrowswithinhimabitternessandaresentmentwhichrobshim
ofhishappiness,stealsawayhispeace,anddestroyshiscontent.
(ii)Itmakesitimpossibletolivewithotherpeople.Themeanmanisthemanabhorredbyalltheman
whomallmendespiseisthemanwiththemiser'sheart.Charitycoversamultitudeofsins,butthe
grudgingspiritmakesuselessamultitudeofvirtues.Howeverbadthegenerousmanmaybe,thereare
thosewhowilllovehimandhowevergoodthemeanmanmaybe,allmenwilldetesthim.
(iii)ItmakesitimpossibletolivewithGod.ThereisnoonesogenerousasGod,and,inthelastanalysis,
therecanbenofellowshipbetweentwopeoplewhoguidetheirlivesbydiametricallyoppositeprinciples.
TherecanbenofellowshipbetweentheGodwhoseheartisafirewithlove,andthemanwhoseheartis
frozenwithmeanness.
Thegrudgingeyedistortsourvisionthegenerouseyealoneseesclearly,foritaloneseesasGodsees.
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THEEXCLUSIVESERVICE(Matthew6:24)
6:24Nomancanbeaslavetotwoownersforeitherhewillhatetheoneandlove
theother,orhewillcleavetotheoneanddespisetheother.Youcannotbeaslave
toGodandtomaterialthings.
Toonebroughtupintheancientworldthisisanevenmorevividsayingthanitistous.TheRevised
StandardVersiontranslatesit:Noonecanservetwomasters.Butthatisnotnearlystrongenough.The
wordwhichtheRevisedStandardVersiontranslates"serve"isdouleuein(Greek#1398)doulos(Greek
#1401)isaslaveanddouleuein(Greek#1398)meanstobeaslaveto.ThewordthattheRevised
StandardVersiontranslatesmasteriskurios(Greek#2962),andkuriosisthewordwhichdenotes
absoluteownership.Wegetthemeaningfarbetter,ifwetranslateit:Nomancanbeaslavetotwo
owners.
Tounderstandallthatthismeansandimplieswemustremembertwothingsabouttheslaveinthe
ancientworld.First,theslaveintheeyesofthelawwasnotapersonbutathing.Hehadabsolutelyno
rightsofhisownhismastercoulddowithhimabsolutelyasheliked.Intheeyesofthelawtheslave
wasalivingtool.Hismastercouldsellhim,beathim,throwhimout,andevenkillhim.Hismaster
possessedhimascompletelyashepossessedanyofhismaterialpossessions.Second,intheancient
worldaslavehadliterallynotimewhichwashisown.Everymomentofhislifebelongedtohismaster.
Undermodernconditionsamanhascertainhoursofwork,andoutsidethesehoursofworkhistimeishis
own.Itisindeedoftenpossibleforamannowadaystofindhisrealinterestinlifeoutsidehishoursof
work.Hemaybeaclerkinanofficeduringthedayandplaytheviolininanorchestraatnightanditmay
bethatitisinhismusicthathefindshisreallife.Hemayworkinashipyardorinafactoryduringthe
dayandrunayouthclubatnight,anditmaybethatitisintheyouthclubthathefindshisrealdelight
andtherealexpressionofhispersonality.Butitwasfarotherwisewiththeslave.Theslavehadliterally
nomomentoftimewhichbelongedtohimself.Everymomentbelongedtohisownerandwasathis
owner'sdisposal.
Here,then,isourrelationshiptoGod.InregardtoGodwehavenorightsofourownGodmustbe
undisputedmasterofourlives.Wecanneverask,"WhatdoIwishtodo?"Wemustalwaysask,"What
doesGodwishmetodo?"Wehavenotimewhichisourown.Wecannotsometimessay,"Iwilldowhat
Godwishesmetodo,"and,atothertimes,say,"IwilldowhatIlike."TheChristianhasnotimeofffrom
beingaChristianthereisnotimewhenhecanrelaxhisChristianstandards,asifhewasoffduty.A
partialoraspasmodicserviceofGodisnotenough.BeingaChristianisawholetimejob.Nowhereinthe
BibleistheexclusiveservicewhichGoddemandsmoreclearlysetforth.
Jesusgoesontosay,"YoucannotserveGodandmammon."Thecorrectspellingiswithonem.
MammonwasaHebrewwordformaterialpossessions.Originallyitwasnotabadwordatall.The
Rabbis,forinstance,hadasaying,"Letthemammonofthyneighbourbeasdeartotheeasthineown."
Thatistosay,amanshouldregardhisneighboursmaterialpossessionsasbeingassacrosanctashis
own.Butthewordmammonhadamostcuriousandamostrevealinghistory.Itcomesfromarootwhich
meanstoentrustandmammonwasthatwhichamanentrustedtoabankerortoasafedepositofsome
kind.Mammonwasthewealthwhichamanentrustedtosomeonetokeepsafeforhim.Butastheyears
wentonmammoncametomean,notthatwhichisentrusted,butthatinwhichamanputshistrust.The
endoftheprocesswasthatmammoncametobespelledwithacapitalMandcametoberegardedas
nothinglessthanagod.
Thehistoryofthatwordshowsvividlyhowmaterialpossessionscanusurpaplaceinlifewhichtheywere
nevermeanttohave.Originallyaman'smaterialpossessionswerethethingswhichheentrustedto
someoneelseforsafekeepingintheendtheycametobethethingsinwhichamanputshistrust.
Surelythereisnobetterdescriptionofaman'sgod,thantosaythathisgodisthepowerinwhomhe
trustsandwhenamanputshistrustinmaterialthings,thenmaterialthingshavebecome,nothis
support,buthisgod.
THEPLACEOFMATERIALPOSSESSIONS(Matthew6:24continued)
ThissayingofJesusisboundtoturnourthoughtstotheplacewhichmaterialpossessionsshouldhave
inlife.AtthebasisofJesus'teachingaboutpossessionstherearethreegreatprinciples.
(i)InthelastanalysisallthingsbelongtoGod.Scripturemakesthatabundantlyclear."Theearthisthe
Lord'sandthefulnessthereoftheworldandthosewhodwelltherein"(Psalms24:1)."Foreverybeastof
theforestismine,thecattleonathousandhills....IfIwerehungryIwouldnottellyou,fortheworldand
allthatisinitismine"(Psalms50:10Psalms50:12).
InJesus'teachingitisthemasterwhogiveshisservantsthetalents(Matthew25:15),andtheownerwho
givesthehusbandmenthevineyard(Matthew21:33).Thisprinciplehasfarreachingconsequences.Men
canbuyandsellthingsmencantosomeextentalterandrearrangethingsbutmancannotcreate
things.TheultimateownershipofallthingsbelongstoGod.Thereisnothinginthisworldofwhichaman
cansay,"Thisismine."Ofallthingshecanonlysay,"ThisbelongstoGod,andGodhasgivenmethe
useofit."
Thereforethisbasicprincipleoflifeemerges.Thereisnothinginthisworldofwhichanymancansay,
"Thisismine,andIwillthereforedowhatIlikewithit."Ofeverythinghemustsay,"ThisisGod's,andI
mustuseitasitsownerwouldhaveittobeused."Thereisastoryofacitychildwhowastakenfora
dayinthecountry.Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshesawadriftofbluebells.Sheturnedtoherteacherand
said,'DoyouthinkGodwouldmind,ifIpickedoneofhisflowers?'Thatisthecorrectattitudetolifeand
allthingsintheworld.
(ii)Thesecondbasicprincipleisthatpeoplearealwaysmoreimportantthanthings.Ifpossessionshave
tobeacquired,ifmoneyhastobeamassed,ifwealthhastobeaccumulatedattheexpenseoftreating
peopleasthings,thenallsuchrichesarewrong.Wheneverandwhereverthatprincipleisforgotten,or
neglected,ordefied,farreachingdisasteriscertaintofollow.
Inthiscountrywearetothisdaysufferingintheworldofindustrialrelationshipsfromthefactthatinthe
daysoftheindustrialrevolutionpeopleweretreatedasthings.SirArthurBryantinEnglishSagatellsof
someofthethingswhichhappenedinthosedays.Childrenofsevenandeightyearsofagethereis
actuallyacaseofachildofthreewereemployedinthemines.Someofthemdraggedtrucksalong
galleriesonallfourssomeofthempumpedoutwaterstandingkneedeepinthewaterfortwelvehoursa
daysomeofthem,calledtrappers,openedandshuttheventilatingdoorsoftheshafts,andwereshut
intolittleventilatingchambersforasmuchassixteenhoursaday.In1815childrenwereworkinginthe
millsfrom5a.m.to8p.m.withoutevenaSaturdayhalfholiday,andwithhalfanhouroffforbreakfast
andhalfanhourofffordinner.In1833therewere84,000childrenunderfourteeninthefactories.Thereis
actuallyacaserecordedinwhichthechildrenwhoselabourwasnolongerrequiredweretakentoa
commonandturnedadrift.Theownersobjectedtotheexpression"turnedadrift."Theysaidthatthe
childrenhadbeensetatliberty.Theyagreedthatthechildrenmightfindthingshard."Theywouldhaveto
begtheirwayorsomethingofthatsort."In1842theweaversofBurnleywerebeingpaid71/2d.aday,
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andtheminersofStaffordshire2shillings6d.aday.Therewerethosewhosawthecriminalfollyofall
this.Carlylethundered,"Ifthecottonindustryisfoundedonthebodiesofricketychildren,itmustgoif
thedevilgetsinyourcottonmill,shutthemill."Itwaspleadedthatcheaplabourwasnecessarytokeep
costsdown.Coleridgeanswered,"Youtalkaboutmakingthisarticlecheaperbyreducingitspriceinthe
marketfrom8d.to6d.Butsupposeinsodoingyouhaverenderedyourcountryweakeragainstaforeign
foesupposeyouhavedemoralizedthousandsofyourfellowcountrymen,andhavesowndiscontent
betweenoneclassofsocietyandanother,yourarticleistolerablydear,Itakeit,afterall."
Itisperfectlytruethatthingsareverydifferentnowadays.Butthereissuchathingasracialmemory.
Deepintheunconsciousmemoryofpeopletheimpressionofthesebaddaysisindeliblyimpressed.
Wheneverpeoplearetreatedasthings,asmachines,asinstrumentsforproducingsomuchlabourand
forenrichingthosewhoemploythem,thenascertainlyasthenightfollowsthedaydisasterfollows.A
nationforgetsatitsperiltheprinciplethatpeoplearealwaysmoreimportantthanthings.
(iii)Thethirdprincipleisthatwealthisalwaysasubordinategood.TheBibledoesnotsaythat,"Moneyis
therootofallevil,"itsaysthat"Theloveofmoneyistherootofallevils"(1Timothy6:10).Itisquite
possibletofindinmaterialthingswhatsomeonehascalled"arivalsalvation."Amanmaythinkthat,
becauseheiswealthy,hecanbuyanything,thathecanbuyhiswayoutofanysituation.Wealthcan
becomehismeasuringrodwealthcanbecomehisonedesirewealthcanbecometheoneweaponwith
whichhefaceslife.Ifamandesiresmaterialthingsforanhonourableindependence,tohelphisfamily
andtodosomethingforhisfellowmen,thatisgoodbutifhedesiresitsimplytoheappleasureupon
pleasure,andtoaddluxury,ifwealthhasbecomethethinghelivesforandlivesby,thenwealthhas
ceasedtobeasubordinategood,andhasusurpedtheplaceinlifewhichonlyGodshouldoccupy.
Onethingemergesfromallthisthepossessionofwealth,money,materialthingsisnotasin,butitisa
graveresponsibility.Ifamanownsmanymaterialthingsitisnotsomuchamatterforcongratulationasit
isamatterforprayer,thathemayusethemasGodwouldhavehimtodo.
THETWOGREATQUESTIONSABOUTPOSSESSIONS(Matthew6:24continued)
Therearetwogreatquestionsaboutpossessions,andontheanswertothesequestionseverything
depends.
(i)Howdidamangainhispossessions?DidhegaintheminawaythathewouldbegladthatJesus
Christshouldsee,ordidhegaintheminawaythathewouldwishtohidefromJesusChrist?
Amanmaygainhispossessionsattheexpenseofhonestyandhonour.GeorgeMacdonaldtellsofa
villageshopkeeperwhogrewveryrich.Wheneverhewasmeasuringcloth,hemeasureditwithhistwo
thumbsinsidethemeasuresothathealwaysgaveshortmeasure.GeorgeMacdonaldsaysofhim,"He
tookfromhissoul,andheputitinhissillerbag."Amancanenrichhisbankaccountattheexpenseof
impoverishinghissoul.
Amanmaygainhispossessionsbydeliberatelysmashingsomeweakerrival.Manyaman'ssuccessis
foundedonsomeoneelse'sfailure.Manyaman'sadvancementhasbeengainedbypushingsomeone
elseoutoftheway.Itishardtoseehowamanwhoprospersinsuchawaycansleepatnights.
Amanmaygainhispossessionsattheexpenseofstillhigherduties.RobertsonNicoll,thegreateditor,
wasborninamanseinthenortheastofScotland.Hisfatherhadonepassion,tobuyandtoreadbooks.
Hewasaministerandheneverhadmorethan1200ayear.Butheamassedthegreatestprivatelibrary
inScotlandamountingto17,000books.Hedidnotusetheminhissermonshewassimplyconsumedto
ownandtoreadthem.Whenhewasfortyhemarriedagirloftwentyfour.Ineightyearsshewasdeadof
tuberculosisofafamilyoffiveonlytwolivedtobeovertwenty.Thatcancerousgrowthofbooksfilled
everyroomandeverypassageinthemanse.Itmayhavedelightedtheownerofthebooks,butitkilled
hiswifeandfamily.
Therearepossessionswhichcanbeacquiredattoogreatacost.Amanmustaskhimself:"HowdoI
acquirethethingswhichIpossess?"
(ii)Howdoesamanusehispossessions?Therearevariouswaysinwhichamanmayusethethingshe
hasacquired.
Hemaynotusethematall.Hemayhavethemiser'sacquisitivenesswhichdelightssimplyin
possession.Hispossessionsmaybequiteuselessanduselessnessalwaysinvitesdisaster.
Hemayusethemcompletelyselfishly.Amanmaydesireabiggerpayfornootherreasonthanthathe
wantsabiggercar,anewtelevisionset,amoreexpensiveholiday.Hemaythinkofpossessionssimply
andsolelyintermsofwhattheycandoforhim.
Hemayusethemmalignantly.Amancanusehispossessionstopersuadesomeoneelsetodothings
hehasnorighttodo,ortosellthingshehasnorighttosell.Manyayoungpersonhasbeenbribedor
dazzledintosinbysomeoneelse'smoney.Wealthgivespower,andacorruptmancanusehis
possessionstocorruptothersandthatinthesightofGodisaveryterriblesin.
Amanmayusehispossessionsforhisownindependenceandforthehappinessofothers.Itdoesnot
needgreatwealthtodothat,foramancanbejustasgenerouswithhalfacrownaswithathousand
pounds.Amanwillnotgofarwrong,ifheuseshispossessionstoseehowmuchhappinesshecanbring
toothers.PaulrememberedasayingofJesuswhicheveryoneelsehadforgotten:"Itismoreblessedto
givethantoreceive"(Acts20:35).ItischaracteristicofGodtogive,and,ifinourlivesgivingalways
ranksabovereceiving,wewillusearightwhatwepossess,howevermuchorhoweverlittleitmaybe.
THEFORBIDDENWORRY(Matthew6:2534)
6:2534Itellyou,therefore,donotworryaboutyourlife,aboutwhatyouaretoeat,
orwhatyouaretodrinkanddonotworryaboutyourbody,aboutwhatyouareto
wear.Isnotyourlifemorethanfood,andyourbodymorethanclothes?Lookatthe
birdsoftheair,andseethattheydonotsow,orreap,orgatherthingsintostore
houses,andyetyourheavenlyFatherfeedsthem.Areyounotbetterthanthey?
Whoofyoucanaddonespantohislifebyworryingaboutit?Andwhydoyouworry
aboutclothes?Learnalessonfromtheliliesofthefield,fromthewayinwhichthey
grow.TheydonottoilorspinbutItellyouthatnotevenSolomoninallhisglory
wasclothedlikeoneofthese.IfGodsoclothesthegrassofthefield,whichexists
today,andwhichisthrownintotheoventomorrow,shallhenotmuchmoreclothe
you,Oyouoflittlefaith?Sothendonotworry,saying,Whatarewetoeat?or,What
arewetodrink?or,Whatarewetowear?TheGentilesseekafterallthesethings.
Butseekfirsthiskingdomandhisrighteousnessandallthesethingswillcometo
youinaddition.So,then,donotworryabouttomorrowtomorrowwillworryabout
itself.Itsowntroublesarequiteenoughfortheday.
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WemustbeginourstudyofthispassagebymakingsurethatweunderstandwhatJesusisforbidding
andwhatheisdemanding.TheKingJamesVersiontranslatesJesus'commandment:Takenothought
forthemorrow.Strangetosay,theKingJamesVersionwasthefirsttranslationtotranslateitinthatway.
Wyclifhadit:"Benotbusytoyourlife."Tyndale,CrammerandtheGenevaVersionallhad:"Benot
carefulforyourlife."Theyusedthewordcarefulintheliteralsenseoffullofcare.Theolderversions
wereinfactmoreaccurate.Itisnotordinary,prudentforesight,suchasbecomesaman,thatJesus
forbidsitisworry.Jesusisnotadvocatingashiftless,thriftless,reckless,thoughtless,improvident
attitudetolifeheisforbiddingacareworn,worriedfear,whichtakesallthejoyoutoflife.
Thewordwhichisusedisthewordmerimnan(Greek#3309),whichmeanstoworryanxiously.Its
correspondingnounismerimna(Greek#3308),whichmeansworry.Inapapyrusletterawifewritestoher
absenthusband:"Icannotsleepatnightorbyday,becauseoftheworry(merimna,Greek#3308)Ihave
aboutyourwelfare."Amother,onhearingofherson'sgoodhealthandprosperitywritesback:"Thatisall
myprayerandallmyanxiety(merimna,Greek#3308)."Anacreon,thepoet,writes:"WhenIdrinkwine,
myworries(merimna,Greek#3308)gotosleep."InGreekthewordisthecharacteristicwordforanxiety,
andworry,andcare.
TheJewsthemselveswereveryfamiliarwiththisattitudetolife.ItwastheteachingofthegreatRabbis
thatamanoughttomeetlifewithacombinationofprudenceandserenity.Theyinsisted,forinstance,
thateverymanmustteachhissonatrade,for,theysaid,nottoteachhimatradewastoteachhimto
steal.Thatistosay,theybelievedintakingallthenecessarystepsfortheprudenthandlingoflife.Butat
thesametime,theysaid,"Hewhohasaloafinhisbasket,andwhosays,'WhatwillIeattomorrow?'isa
manoflittlefaith."
Jesusishereteachingalessonwhichhiscountrymenwellknewthelessonofprudenceandforethought
andserenityandtrustcombined.
WORRYANDITSCURE(Matthew6:2534continued)
InthesetenversesJesussetsoutsevendifferentargumentsanddefencesagainstworry.
(i)Hebeginsbypointingout(Matthew6:25)thatGodgaveuslife,and,ifhegaveuslife,surelywecan
trusthimforthelesserthings.IfGodgaveuslife,surelywecantrusthimtogiveusfoodtosustainthat
life.IfGodgaveusbodies,surelywecantrusthimforraimenttoclothethesebodies.Ifanyonegivesus
agiftwhichisbeyondprice,surelywecanbecertainthatsuchagiverwillnotbemean,andstingy,and
niggardly,andcareless,andforgetfulaboutmuchlesscostlygifts.So,then,thefirstargumentisthat,if
Godgaveuslife,wecantrusthimforthethingswhicharenecessarytosupportlife.
(ii)Jesusgoesontospeakaboutthebirds(Matthew6:26).Thereisnoworryintheirlives,noattemptto
pileupgoodsforanunforeseenandunforeseeablefutureandyettheirlivesgoon.MorethanoneJewish
Rabbiwasfascinatedbythewayinwhichtheanimalslive."Inmylife,"saidRabbiSimeon,"Ihavenever
seenastagasadryeroffigs,oralionasaporter,orafoxasamerchant,yettheyareallnourished
withoutworry.Ifthey,whoarecreatedtoserveme,arenourishedwithoutworry,howmuchmoreought1,
whoamcreatedtoservemyMaker,tobenourishedwithoutworrybutIhavecorruptedmyways,andso
Ihaveimpairedmysubstance."ThepointthatJesusismakingisnotthatthebirdsdonotworkithas
beensaidthatnooneworksharderthantheaveragesparrowtomakealivingthepointthatheismaking
isthattheydonotworry.Thereisnottobefoundinthemman'sstrainingtoseeafuturewhichhecannot
see,andman'sseekingtofindsecurityinthingsstoredupandaccumulatedagainstthefuture.
(iii)InMatthew6:27,Jesusgoesontoprovethatworryisinanyeventuseless.Theversecanbeartwo
meanings.Itcanmeanthatnomanbyworryingcanaddacubittohisheightbutacubitiseighteen
inches,andnomansurelywouldevercontemplateaddingeighteeninchestohisheight!Itcanmeanthat
nomanbyworryingcanaddtheshortestspacetohislifeandthatmeaningismorelikely.ItisJesus'
argumentthatworryispointlessanyway.
(iv)Jesusgoesontospeakabouttheflowers(Matthew6:2830),andhespeaksaboutthemasonewho
lovedthem.Theliliesofthefieldwerethescarletpoppiesandanemones.Theybloomedonedayonthe
hillsidesofPalestineandyetintheirbrieflifetheywereclothedwithabeautywhichsurpassedthe
beautyoftherobesofkings.Whentheydiedtheywereusedfornothingbetterthanforburning.Thepoint
isthis.ThePalestinianovenwasmadeofclay.Itwaslikeaclayboxsetonbricksoverthefire.Whenit
wasdesiredtoraisethetemperatureofitespeciallyquickly,somehandfulsofdriedgrassesandwild
flowerswereflunginsidetheovenandsetalight.Theflowershadbutonedayoflifeandthentheywere
setalighttohelpawomantoheatanovenwhenshewasbakinginahurryandyetGodclothesthem
withabeautywhichisbeyondman'spowertoimitate.IfGodgivessuchbeautytoashortlivedflower,
howmuchmorewillhecareforman?Surelythegenerositywhichissolavishtotheflowerofadaywill
notbeforgetfulofman,thecrownofcreation.
(v)Jesusgoesontoadvanceaveryfundamentalargumentagainstworry.Worry,hesays,is
characteristicofaheathen,andnotofonewhoknowswhatGodislike(Matthew6:32).Worryis
essentiallydistrustofGod.Suchadistrustmaybeunderstandableinaheathenwhobelievesina
jealous,capricious,unpredictablegodbutitisbeyondcomprehensioninonewhohaslearnedtocallGod
bythenameofFather.TheChristiancannotworrybecausehebelievesintheloveofGod.
(vi)Jesusgoesontoadvancetwowaysinwhichtodefeatworry.Thefirstistoseekfirst,toconcentrate
upon,theKingdomofGod.WehaveseenthattobeintheKingdomandtodothewillofGodisoneand
thesamething(Matthew6:10).Toconcentrateonthedoingof,andtheacceptanceof,God'swillisthe
waytodefeatworry.Weknowhowinourownlivesagreatlovecandriveouteveryotherconcern.Such
alovecaninspireaman'swork,intensifyhisstudy,purifyhislife,dominatehiswholebeing.Itwas
JesusconvictionthatworryisbanishedwhenGodbecomesthedominatingpowerofourlives.
(vii)Lastly,Jesussaysthatworrycanbedefeatedwhenweacquiretheartoflivingonedayatatime
(Matthew6:34).TheJewshadasaying:"Donotworryovertomorrow'sevils,foryouknownotwhattoday
willbringforth.Perhapstomorrowyouwillnotbealive,andyouwillhaveworriedforaworldwhichwillnot
beyours."Ifeachdayislivedasitcomes,ifeachtaskisdoneasitappears,thenthesumofallthe
daysisboundtobegood.ItisJesus'advicethatweshouldhandlethedemandsofeachdayasit
comes,withoutworryingabouttheunknownfutureandthethingswhichmayneverhappen.
THEFOLLYOFWORRY(Matthew6:2534continued)
LetusnowseeifwecangatherupJesus'argumentsagainstworry.
(i)Worryisneedless,uselessandevenactivelyinjurious.Worrycannotaffectthepast,forthepastis
past.OmarKhayyamwasgrimlyright:
"Themovingfingerwrites,and,havingwrit,
Movesonnorallthypietynorwit
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Shalllureitbacktocancelhalfaline,
Norallthytearswashoutawordofit."
Thepastispast.Itisnotthatamancanoroughttodissociatehimselffromhispastbutheoughttouse
hispastasaspurandaguideforbetteractioninthefuture,andnotassomethingaboutwhichhebroods
untilhehasworriedhimselfintoaparalysisofaction.
Equally,worryaboutthefutureisuseless.AlistairMacLeaninoneofhissermonstellsofastorywhich
hehadread.ALondondoctorwasthehero."Hewasparalysedandbedridden,butalmostoutrageously
cheerful,andhissmilesobraveandradiantthateveryoneforgottobesorryforhim.Hischildrenadored
him,andwhenoneofhisboyswasleavingthenestandstartingforthuponlife'sadventure,Dr.
Greatheartgavehimgoodadvice:'Johnny,'hesaid,'thethingtodo,mylad,istoholdyourownendup,
andtodoitlikeagentleman,andpleaserememberthebiggesttroublesyouhavegottofacearethose
thatnevercome.'"Worryaboutthefutureiswastedeffort,andthefutureofrealityisseldomasbadas
thefutureofourfears.
Butworryisworsethanuselessitisoftenactivelyinjurious.Thetwotypicaldiseasesofmodernlifeare
thestomachulcerandthecoronarythrombosis,andinmanycasesbotharetheresultofworry.Itisa
medicalfactthathewholaughsmostliveslongest.Theworrywhichwearsoutthemindwearsoutthe
bodyalongwithit.Worryaffectsaman'sjudgment,lessenshispowersofdecision,andrendershim
progressivelyincapableofdealingwithlife.Letamangivehisbesttoeverysituationhecannotgive
moreandlethimleavetheresttoGod.
(ii)Worryisblind.Worryrefusestolearnthelessonofnature.Jesusbidsmenlookatthebirds,andsee
thebountywhichisbehindnature,andtrustthelovethatliesbehindthatbounty.Worryrefusestolearn
thelessonofhistory.TherewasaPsalmistwhocheeredhimselfwiththememoryofhistory:"Omy
God,"hecries,"mysouliscastdownwithinme."Andthenhegoeson:"ThereforeIrememberThee,
fromthelandofJordan,andofHermon,fromMountMizar"(Psalms42:6compareDeuteronomy3:9).
Whenhewasupagainstit,hecomfortedhimselfwiththememoryofwhatGodhaddone.Themanwho
feedshisheartontherecordofwhatGodhasdoneinthepastwillneverworryaboutthefuture.Worry
refusestolearnthelessonoflife.Wearestillaliveandourheadsarestillabovewaterandyetif
someonehadtoldusthatwewouldhavetogothroughwhatwehaveactuallygonethrough,wewould
havesaidthatitwasimpossible.Thelessonoflifeisthatsomehowwehavebeenenabledtobearthe
unbearableandtodotheundoableandtopassthebreakingpointandnottobreak.Thelessonoflifeis
thatworryisunnecessary.
(iii)Worryisessentiallyirreligious.Worryisnotcausedbyexternalcircumstances.Inthesame
circumstancesonemancanbeabsolutelyserene,andanothermancanbeworriedtodeath.Bothworry
andserenitycome,notfromcircumstances,butfromtheheart.AlistairMacLeanquotesastoryfrom
Tauler,theGermanmystic.OnedayTaulermetabeggar."Godgiveyouagoodday,myfriend,"hesaid.
Thebeggaranswered,"IthankGodIneverhadabadone."ThenTaulersaid,"Godgiveyouahappylife,
myfriend.""IthankGod,"saidthebeggar,"Iamneverunhappy."Taulerinamazementsaid,"Whatdo
youmean?""Well,"saidthebeggar,"whenitisfine,IthankGodwhenitrains,IthankGodwhenIhave
plenty,IthankGodwhenIamhungry,IthankGodandsinceGod'swillismywill,andwhateverpleases
himpleasesme,whyshouldIsayIamunhappywhenIamnot?"Taulerlookedatthemanin
astonishment."Whoareyou?"heasked."Iamaking,"saidthebeggar."Wherethenisyourkingdom?"
askedTauler.Andthebeggaransweredquietly:"Inmyheart."
Isaiahsaiditlongago:"Thoudostkeephiminperfectpeace,whosemindisstayedonthee:becausehe
trustsinthee"(Isaiah26:3).Asthenorthcountrywomanhadit:"Iamalwayshappy,andmysecretis
alwaystosailtheseas,andevertokeeptheheartinport."
Theremaybegreatersinsthanworry,butverycertainlythereisnomoredisablingsin."Takenoanxious
thoughtforthemorrow"thatisthecommandmentofJesus,anditistheway,notonlytopeace,butalso
topower.
Barclay'sDailyStudyBible(NT)
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BibliographyInformation
Barclay,William."CommentaryonMatthew6:1"."WilliamBarclay'sDailyStudyBible".
"http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsb/view.cgi?bk=39&ch=6".19561959.
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What are the main points being discussed in the passage?

What is the author's view on worrying about the future?

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