In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents a profound lesson on God’s care and provision, using the natural world as a mirror of His faithfulness.
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus speaks about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, urging us not to worry about our material needs.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26).
Similarly, He points to the lilies, “They do not labor or spin, yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Matthew 6:28-29).
Jesus’ words remind us that if God takes such care in providing for the birds and adorning the lilies with beauty, how much more will He care for His children? These simple creatures, which neither toil nor fret, live in complete trust in the provision of their Creator. Jesus calls us to do the same.
Martin Luther, in his reflections on these passages, makes an insightful observation: the birds teach us about dependence on God, and the lilies, with their beauty, serve as theologians. He writes, “The birds are our teachers, and the lilies are our theologians.” Their simple, serene existence challenges us to embrace faith without anxiety. The birds, with their joyful songs, and the lilies, with their vibrant blooms, gently embarrass us with their unwavering trust in God.
Luther further explained that when we fail to trust God for our provisions and cannot praise Him, we fall short even of the birds and lilies of the field. We are created with far more complexity and greater talents. The birds, though they do not store up in barns, freely fly wherever they wish, confident that God will provide for them.
We, too, must rest in God’s provision and be clothed in the peace that He offers.
God bless!