22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! …..Comment: Anti-anxiety medicine! It doesn’t say don’t be thoughtful or don’t be prepared for the things of the body. It does say don’t be anxious, you can trust God! And it adds a very important reminder – don’t forget that your body is yours to serve a higher purpose!
32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”.…..Comment: Christians have duel citizenship! Citizenship of a geographical nation and also of the Kingdom of God! Jesus says, ‘Think seriously where you are going to set your values! On money and things which you cannot take with you beyond death or riches in heaven which don’t corrupt but do endure’. There is a strong urge to preparedness and watchfulness – for the King is returning! Jesus uses a very down to earth example to warn Kingdom members to be prepared for the King’s Return!
49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” – Comment: Is this the One called ‘The Prince of Peace’ speaking? Yes! But just as ‘Love’ is an inadequate word to describe the multi-variegated nature of God as He is also the Judge able to condemn to hell. His peace has an inward aspect when we know Him by saving faith and rest in Him even through the most trying circumstances. There is also an aspect which peace will not occur because of the division between those serving the Heavenly King and the temporary ruler of this world, Satan! There will be even divisions of loyalty within families!
Proverbs 6: 6 – Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.
Prayer: Help me to listen to and obey Your instructions!
As I read it! 