1. Matthew 6:26 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What are disciples meant to learn from studying the birds?

Matthew 6:26 (ESV)

26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Pointing to the birds, Jesus is encouraging his disciples to understand that they are provided for by God even though they are very insignificant in comparison with human beings. Since God cares for seemingly trivial creatures (birds), will he not surely care for those made in his image (Genesis 1:26–27), especially those who have been chosen and adopted as his children?1 The implication is that kingdom citizens must not chase after possessions with the worry that they will not be provided for.2