EveningMarch 23
Matthew 23:5-8 5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' 8"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.
The religious leaders of Jesus' day had one motivating force, "what will men think of me?" Their religion was about pride in being the spiritual elite. They prayed in public with flowery words, distorted their faces when fasting, and publicly gave their tithes that were accurate down to the last mint leaf. They wore boxes that contained Scripture, which the Law encouraged. However, they made them extra-large for show. They believed the tassel of the Messiah's garment would have the power to heal, so they made theirs extra-long as if to say, "Perhaps I am He." Jesus said their reward for such effort was the respect of man. They had the titles, the best seats, and the places of honor. That is all.
Jesus taught His disciples that the way of the Pharisee was not to be their way. They were to seek to please God, not man. They were not to seek after the title, Rabbi, which means teacher. Why? There is only one Master. We are all on equal footing as brothers. We are all being taught by the Teacher, the Holy Spirit. Mankind so desires to have a king, a hero, an elevated figure to look to. We have one King, one Hero, one elevated One. When we get our eyes on a man, we are taking them off Jesus. The Apostle Paul said to follow him (1Corinthians 11:1), but he is quick to add, "as I follow Christ". Look past the leader to Jesus. If the leader is following closely in the footprints of the Leader, follow on.
This is not a word for us to judge others with, but to search our own hearts. Why am I acting as I do? Why do I want others to observe my actions? Would I do this if no one ever knew? Jesus encourages us to act in secret so that only our Father will see. Then our reward will be entirely from Him.
Consider: As you do things for the Lord, make every effort to see that no one knows. Keep it between God and you.