Our Greatest Need

by John Michalak

Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and the LORD will be my God, then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give a tenth to you.”

Genesis 28:20-22

In many ways, Jesus’ sermon on the mount in Matthew 6 was nothing new. For example, when Jesus says, “Don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’… ‘With what will we be clothed?’” many Jews would remember these similar words spoken in Genesis by Jacob.

But, here’s where Jesus added a twist. Jacob essentially said, If God will care for me, then I will follow him! But, Jesus says, “Seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you.”

The connection between what we need and how well we follow God goes back to the days of Adam and Eve. Most of us, in fear of not getting our needs met, won’t put God first in our lives.

But through the cross, Jesus has already met your greatest need. If you really understand what that means, seeking God’s Kingdom first in hope that He’ll then take care of your food and clothing should come a whole lot easier.