Matthew 6

Matthew 6 goes from perfecting obedience to law on what not to do (Matthew 5), to how to perfectly do the things we ought - to be a servant like Jesus.

Matthew 6:1-4: Per Matthew 5:14-16, these limitations on public religion do not apply to sharing the gospel, or the fact that good works are being done.

Matthew 6:2-4 & 21-24: Humble service to God and to the poor is the highest honor.

Matthew 6:5-6: When Jesus prayed, it was in a garden by Himself, not a closed room,  (Matthew 6:39) and sometimes in a closed room with a few others (John 17).

Matthew 6:7-8: The Lord’s Prayer is a paradigm, not a formula.

Matthew 6:9: We start with worship, recognizing that God’s name represents Him, and that we should treat both with respect. Worship involves giving God the glory due Him, because of His nature (eternal power  in both heavenly and natural realms), His character (love and holiness), and His actions (sending Jesus to save us, and in our individual lives). Worship can be words or songs.  Exodus 20:7 only forbids us from using His name in vain, but does not forbid using it appropriately.

Matthew 6:10: We ask for His kingdom to come on earth, which will one day happen when the fullness of time is ripe. (Revelation 20) In the meantime, we should be concerned about us individually knowing His will for us and doing it. This is not a passive request for the second coming of Christ. We need to ask daily what He wants us to do today. Deuteronomy 4:1, 5:1, 11:1, and 12:1 (and many others) command us to do His will.

Matthew 6:11: The Israelites in the desert were dependent on God for food in the form of manna every day.  (Exodus 16:21) We are fortunate to have ample food supplies. However, in the spiritual realm, we are totally dependent on God for nourishment. We ask Him to speak to us, and we should read His word every day.

Matthew 6:12: Jesus warns of the one major condition for the Father forgiving us of our sins: we have to forgive others. It’s easier when someone unintentionally hurts us, but Jesus didn’t give that as an out; we have to forgive someone who deliberately hurts us, too. Or else we won’t be forgiven. A daily review with Jesus at bedtime of the things on our mind can help clear  up with Him the things that bug us so we can sleep peacefully. (See also Matthew 6:14-15 & 18:21-35)

Matthew 6:13: We all need God’s help in dealing with temptation and evil. We should not test God like when Satan wanted Jesus to throw Himself down from the pinnacle - Jesus knew better. (Matthew 4:7) So do we. We should steer clear of temptation and evil as best we can, but  also remember to call on Him when situations arise.

We should always remember that God’s eternal kingdom, with His power and glory, will last forever, unto the ages of the ages. All of the preceding can be motivated by that. But these prayer topics should primarily be motivated by sincere love for God and desire to be like Him in the core of our being - our mind, will, and emotions, our very heart. That will make living in God’s eternal kingdom an unending joy!

Matthew 6:14-15: Deuteronomy 15:2 & Leviticus 16 don’t mention forgiving others as a condition for God’s forgiveness. It is hard to forgive incessant repetition of wrongs, until we remember our own transgressions. (See also Matthew 6:12)

Matthew 6:16-18: Fasting was not always secret in the Old Testament. For example Judges 20:26, 2 Samuel 1:12, 2 Chronicles 20:3, Jeremiah 36:6, where fasts were all public.

Matthew 6:19-24: Proverbs 23:4-5 speaks to the transitory nature of earthly wealth. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 says to remember wealth is God’s blessing to us, not something we did on our own. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua called on Israel to choose who to serve.

Matthew 6:25-34: echo Psalm 31:4 and other verses about seeking God first. As Matthew 6:33 says, God’s dominion is righteousness. They are inextricably intertwined.

Matthew 6:34: We must not let worry about the future corrupt the joys of today. Prudent planning is appropriate, but not emotional investment in the future.