Matthew 6

The main mistake the Scribes and Pharisees made is that they viewed their deeds as a matter of personal righteousness rather than for God. They did good deeds to be seen of men rather than to be seen of God. Christ corrects the teaching of the law. He takes the false teachings and application of the Scribe and Pharisees and correct their understand of it. Righteousness is a key part of the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees. Christ teaches the children of Isreal about how Israel will enter the Messianic Kingdom. He takes three religious duties of the Jews and corrects the understanding of it. In the teaching regarding prayer Jesus tells them that prayer ought not to be like the hypocrites who hid their true face before God. In fasting Jesus teaches them that fasting is not a matter of a public display of piety but a matter between themselves and God. In arms giving Jesus tells them that in their giving be careful to not to be seen of man and seek the praise of man. In each of the three duties Jesus tells his hearers that the key element is that their deeds ought to be done before God, not man.

 

Jesus Addresses Giving Alms

Verses 1-4

Listen very carefully to the words of Jesus. This is how the sixth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel begins. When you give alms do not make a public exhibition of yourself to be seen by men. Rather do this in private so that your giving is between you and God. “Alms” is when you give money or food to the poor. Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 6 contrasts with the vanity of the Scribes and Pharisees who enjoyed making a public display of their good deeds. This performance was for their glory. Charitable deeds should be for the glory of God, showing God’s goodness and mercy toward mankind. The reward for this vainglory is merely the applause of man.

Jesus mentions a trumpet being sounded. This can also be called a fanfare. A loud sound announcing the arrival of an important person, such as a King or Queen. In the United Kingdom, a fanfare is sounded to note the arrival of the monarch.

 

Prayer

Verses 5-15

The Lord’s Prayer is a model of what the coming Kingdom will be like. It is a prayer based in law. For example in verse 12 forgiveness is granted based on our forgiveness of others (law – works). It is also a prayer for the coming of the kingdom “your kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven.” The Lord’s Prayer is an example of how we ought to pray. We are to direct all our prayers to God.

Prayer is a very important part of spiritual life. We ought to pray daily. The Apostle Paul wrote, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5.17). A prayerless person is a lifeless person. Prayer is a blessing from God. Prayer is a privilege, we ought to take every opportunity to pray to God. Godly men and women should pray day and night, in good times and in times of hardship.

Hear the words of C.H. Spurgeon on the subject of prayer, “True prayer is not a mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that – it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth.”

Prayer is not hypocritical. Our motive is for the glory of God. Jesus tells us how the hypocrites like to stand in the synagogues and on the street corner to be seen by men. His teaching here is continued from the opening verses about alms. Whatever the child of God prays it ought to be for the glory of God. Christ said to not say vain repetitions when we pray. This means do not say the same words and phrases repeatedly, thinking you will be heard more by saying the same things. An example of this would be the Rosary. The Rosary is a prayer of Roman Catholicism, whereby the words of the apostle’s creed, Lord’s Prayer, “Hail Mary” and others are said multiple times. God is not concerned with word counts and flowery expressions and mantras. God desires to hear what is on your heart.

Our Lord said that those who use vain repetitions think they will be heard for their much speaking. Jesus goes on to explain what true prayer is. Here we find the words to what has come to be known as the Lord’s Prayer.

We learn several important points about prayer here. Prayer is to be addressed to God, His name should be honored, His will should be sought to be done, a request for daily needs to be met, and the words of prayer are to be thankful. We are also to pray for forgiveness of sin and deliverance from temptations. Jesus closes His example of prayer with “Amen” meaning, let it be so.

 

Fasting

Verses 16-18

Fasting is another deed for the glory of God. It is clear to see by now that the theme of Christ in Matthew 6 is the glory of God and the disapproval of vainglory for yourself. When we fast, we should go about our daily routine without making a display of our fasting. Notice how Christ said when you fast. Fasting ought to be a normal practice for people who seek to honor God. Fasting should not be viewed as an optional extra or an add-on to faith. Fasting is going without food for the body to devote your time, effort, and energy to spiritual food, nourishment, and discipline.

Where is your treasure

Verses 19-24

Set your thoughts on the things of God. Lay up your treasures in heaven where rust cannot destroy. Earthly treasures will fade and be of no eternal use. This is the message of Christ here. Many people spend their whole life building up treasures on the earth. They spend their money and time in the pursuit of wealth, and earthly fortunes and gain. It is a true saying and worthy of being reminded at this point that we bring nothing into the world, and we carry nothing out. What will it profit you to have all this vain world can offer only to spend eternity separated from God’s eternal rest and joy?

God desires that His people have a spiritual vision to see his desire and will for us. Good eyes are fixed on God alone. This is crucial as no one can serve two masters. The righteous has one and only one master. You cannot serve God and earthly gain. You cannot split your loyalty between God and the world. In England we have a saying, “you can’t sit on the fence.” When it comes to matters of the Gospel, you cannot sit on the fence. You are either with God or against God. Do not be fooled into the trap of the materialistic world, many have been swallowed up. In 1 Timothy 6.10 Paul tells us that the love and an endless pursuit of riches and money will cause much spiritual hurt to the child of God. Who is your master? What occupies your mind? What does your heart desire?

Jesus teaches that riches gained on earth profit nothing toward the kingdom that is to come. The Jews were well known for their wealth. Jesus teaches them that earthly riches will decay. He contrast their view of earthly riches to riches in heaven.

 

The principle here is to seek the Kingdom of God first and His righteousness meaning to put the things of God first. Christ teaches that our own righteousness does not profit us anything; only the righteousness we have through Christ can profit us.

Jesus’s teaching on worry

Verses 25-34

In the closing verses of the sixth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel Jesus speaks about worry. He reassures us that those who trust in Him have nothing to fear in terms of their daily needs being met. Jesus teaches us that the birds do not sow nor gather food in barns, yet God feeds them. We are further reassured that God will tend to the needs of His people.
We are to turn to God for help and not be consumed with worry. We ought to cast our cares upon the Lord. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. By turning to God in faith and prayer we do just that. We seek God first and put Him first. Christ teaches that worrying about earthly matters are not a means to obtain righteousness.