Hello there, faithful brethren,
Today, let’s take a look at how Jesus’ view on anxiety can help us navigate the concerns we have in life:
And which of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his life span?
— Matthew 6:27
This statement comes in Jesus’ teaching on the Sermon on the Mount. In this particular section, He was talking about why we ought not to worry.
“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
— Matthew 6:25
Jesus was not simply talking generically about the idea of anxiety. In this, He took the time to elaborate on the extent of the kind of anxiety that He was talking about. It begins with the simplest things in life—the things we eat, the things we drink, the clothes we put on, and even our health. He very interestingly says that life is a lot more than food, health, and even clothing.
This goes contrary to the worldview that most of us have today. The famous saying goes if we have food in our mouth and clothes on our back, then life is sufficient. However, this is not the sentiment shared by many. In our culture today, we believe in the “power of more.” There is always a need for more. We see this in our culture today where even the advertisements we see on TV and social media are all about getting more and getting what is better. We are never satisfied with what we already have. We are always looking out for more money, more possessions, more time, better health, better wealth, a better position in society, more fame, and on and on.
This is not very different from Jesus’ times. And so this statement that He makes comes as a shock to His listeners. Jesus does not stop at simply telling them not to worry but gives them an explanation as to why they ought not to worry.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!
— Matthew 6:30
Jesus’ response to worry is leaning on God’s word and promises. Jesus says that God is the one who clothes the grass of the field and because of the inherent value of the image bearer of God, Jesus says we should never be concerned about whether or not God will provide.
In the verse we’re looking at today, Jesus almost comes off as sarcastic, asking the question, “Which one of you by worrying could add a day to his life?”
His word choice here is actually quite interesting. Jesus doesn’t actually say “adding a day” but rather He uses the word that could be translated to “cubit,” which is a measure of length. So what He’s really asking is to those who worry about everyday life and worry about the future, does the worrying lead to adding even a small unit of length to the span of one’s life?
This is an important thing to note because we know that the person saying this is actually God Himself. And we know that God is the one who numbers the days that we get to live.
Then he took up his discourse and said,
“Woe, who can live except when God has ordained it?
— Numbers 24:23
God has numbered all our days, and so the point that Jesus is making is that He who numbered our days is the true source of life. Worrying about life and worrying about tomorrow can never add to our lives.
Furthermore, when Jesus makes this statement, it needs to be understood that He actually knows what is to come. This is how He speaks through the prophet Isaiah, that He knows the end from the beginning.
Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My counsel will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’,
— Isaiah 46:9-10
And here is the folly of worry: when you find yourself spending time focusing on worrying about what is to come, we actually subconsciously are saying that we do not trust in the One who has numbered our days. God knows the things that are to come. When one has the omniscience of God, knowing everything there is to know, then one has no need for worry.
Now, it’s interesting here that Jesus, speaking to His listeners, is telling them not to worry because they serve a God who already knows what is to come.
We cannot add to the length of our days here on earth; however, worry can be disastrous in our lives. Its destruction begins with us mistrusting the God who has promised to work all things to the good of His glory. When we’re constantly worried, we are saying we do not fully trust in the Lord to take care of us.
Such mistrust in the character of God is unlike that of a Christian and a believer. This is why Jesus equates this kind of anxiety and concern for everyday life to the Gentiles and the non-believers.
For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
— Matthew 6:32
The good thing is we have an antidote to this worry and anxiety. From Jesus Himself, He tells us that we should trust in God to provide in accordance with His divine will. A few statements later, after this verse, Jesus refocuses His lesson’s attention to seeking God instead.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
— Matthew 6:33
Here are some things to look out for:
- We live in a world prone to anxiety.
- We are not of this world and are fully aware that we serve a sovereign God who already knows what is coming.
- We need not worry about the cares of everyday life; instead, we should put our faith in God and trust that He has a plan for us.
I pray that this word will bring peace to your heart. The next time you find yourself anxious about life, let’s remember the words of Paul:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4:6-7
May peace and grace abound to you in abundance.
Your brother,
Paul
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