For the last several weeks we’ve been reading the words of Jesus as he gives an incredible sermon on the side of a hill north of the Sea of Galilee. He’s been talking about what it means to live a righteous life. The word righteous means to live right. It is to think, act, speak and do as God desires. Jesus’ topics include purity, loving others, reconciliation, and speaking the truth. When a person knows and applies these things there comes a new temptation. Arrogant hearts that say, “Look a...
For the last several weeks we’ve been reading the words of Jesus as he gives an incredible sermon on the side of a hill north of the Sea of Galilee. He’s been talking about what it means to live a righteous life. The word righteous means to live right. It is to think, act, speak and do as God desires. Jesus’ topics include purity, loving others, reconciliation, and speaking the truth. When a person knows and applies these things there comes a new temptation. Arrogant hearts that say, “Look at all the wonderful things I’m doing. I'm such good person!" Or conversely, “Look at me and all the bad things I don’t do!” Either way, it’s a matter of pride. It's using good deeds to draw attention to yourself. So it makes perfect sense for Jesus to address this new temptation and once again he uses the religious leaders as an example.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4
When I was a younger pastor I struggled a lot with this. I cared too much about how people perceived me. Even when I prayed in front of others I would wonder what they were thinking. It’s a smaller issue for me today because I’ve experienced the highs and the lows of living for the approval of others. The approval of man does not last long. The temperature of any crowd can quickly turn against you. At the beginning of the Passion Week the multitudes shouted at Jesus, “Hosanna!” Which means “Save us!” Jesus had something else in mind. He did come to save them but not in the way they expected. They wanted a political and national savior, instead Jesus came to save them from themselves. For this the people turned on him and at the end of the week they shouted, “Crucify him!”
Jesus uses two specific words to describe the person who falls into the trap of human approval...
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them…Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Matthew 6:1-2
The Greek word for seen is pronounced, "thay-ath-oh-nye" from which we get our english word theater. In verse two he uses the word hypocrites. The Greek pronunciation, "hoo-pah-kri-tayce" which means “one who wears the mask.” In other words, this person’s religion is nothing but an act. It’s a show. They are on the stage wearing a mask projecting someone they are not. Their good deeds are done for the applause of the people who watch. According to Jesus, our lives are to be lived for an audience of one who sees in secret and will reward us.
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