GOD CLOTHES THE GRASS OF THE FIELD, AND HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU (or “Why Would Anyone Throw Grass Into An Oven?”)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called our hearts away from the cares of this passing life. He said in Matthew 6:28–31: “And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Therefore, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
The meaning is simple enough for anyone to understand, yet if we have grown up in the West, the picture Jesus paints may seem strange. Who has ever seen grass thrown into an oven? But those who lived in the Near East understood right away. Ovens were simple, heated chambers of mud brick or stone, fired with dry fuel—twigs, stalks, or heavy grass that had baked under the fierce sun. The same stalks that yesterday held a bloom might become tomorrow’s fire for baking bread. Jesus’ hearers could picture it immediately: life is fleeting, the glory of creation passes, yet God cares for it all.
He pointed to the lilies, blooming on sturdy stalks with broad leaves. They neither toil nor spin, yet their beauty surpasses even the wealth of King Solomon. He said to notice the grass of the field—here today, thrown into the oven tomorrow. If God tends the grass, how much more will He care for His own children? The lilies and the grass speak of a God who watches every detail, a Father who clothes His creation with splendor and gives it purpose, even in its brief life.
When I consider my own life, I see how fleeting it is compared to eternity. Our days are brief, our achievements small, our wealth temporary. Why, then, should we spend so much time anxious over clothing, over food, over the passing things of this world? Why should worry and toil dominate the short journey from cradle to grave? Instead, our hearts should long for the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Every need of ours is known to Him. He who adorns the lilies and clothes the grass will not forget us.
All flesh is like the grass. Even those gifted with beauty, strength, or wisdom are fleeting. Their glory is temporary. The lilies do not toil, yet they bloom in a splendor that Solomon himself could not rival. How much more should we seek the beauty that comes from knowledge, wisdom, and grace—the adornments of a soul shaped by Christ—rather than the fleeting decorations of fine clothing or earthly approval. The lesson is simple: do not be anxious for tomorrow, do not chase pride in your attire, do not place your heart on what will fade. Trust God to meet your needs and guide your days.
And so Jesus’ parable carries us deeper: if God gives life, beauty, and provision to the flowers and the grass, shall we not trust Him to clothe us in His grace, to supply our daily needs, and to guide our steps? The fleeting things of this world will pass away, but God’s kingdom is eternal.
As 1 John 2:15–17 reminds us: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
Let the lilies teach us, let the grass remind us, and let our hearts rest in the faithful hand of Christ. Let us not chase after what is fleeting, but seek His kingdom, His righteousness, and the eternal joy of walking in His presence each day.
Father, open my eyes to see Your hand in everything around me. Let me notice the lilies in the field, the grass that blooms and fades, the sun that rises and sets, and the stars that shine in the night. Teach me to read Your care and wisdom in all creation, so that I may trust You more each day. Help me to remember that if You tend the flowers and clothe the grass, You will surely provide for me, Your child. May my heart rest in Your faithful hand, and may every breath I take be filled with gratitude for Your goodness and provision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
