In Religious Show Business?
In Religious Show Business?
Jesus warns us about religious show and tell. There is something in all of us that likes to show off. Who are we really trying to impress? Are we trying to impress an all knowing God?
Definitely not God who knows exactly what we are doing. God also knows our motives. So it means we are only trying to impress fellow humans.
Let’s learn from the rebuke of the Sadducees and Pharisees by Jesus. “Their works they do to be seen by others.” Jesus is not saying don’t do good; but do it without announcing to the whole world. It is always good to ask: Why am I doing this? To be seen or just to please God? Our motive should be to glorify our Father in gratitude; for He already loves us and have saved us by His grace and not by our good works.
Let us also watch out for using a different higher standard for others while excusing ourselves with a lower standard. That is what the Pharisees did. On one hand, we want God’s mercy and grace for ourselves but we demand judgment and penalty for others. May we show grace and mercy as much as we have received. Remember, the same measure we use, will be used on us.
Please read more of Jesus’ counsel below:
Matthew 23:1-14
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,[a] that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ,[b] and you are all brethren.
9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.[c]
How would the above Scripture change our daily living? May God help us to humble ourselves that God may exalt us eventually. The exaltation may not be on this side of eternity, so don’t always look for it but let’s keep doing good. Amen.
Jesus warns us about religious show and tell. There is something in all of us that likes to show off. Who are we really trying to impress? Are we trying to impress an all knowing God?
Definitely not God who knows exactly what we are doing. God also knows our motives. So it means we are only trying to impress fellow humans.
Let’s learn from the rebuke of the Sadducees and Pharisees by Jesus. “Their works they do to be seen by others.” Jesus is not saying don’t do good; but do it without announcing to the whole world. It is always good to ask: Why am I doing this? To be seen or just to please God? Our motive should be to glorify our Father in gratitude; for He already loves us and have saved us by His grace and not by our good works.
Let us also watch out for using a different higher standard for others while excusing ourselves with a lower standard. That is what the Pharisees did. On one hand, we want God’s mercy and grace for ourselves but we demand judgment and penalty for others. May we show grace and mercy as much as we have received. Remember, the same measure we use, will be used on us.
Please read more of Jesus’ counsel below:
Matthew 23:1-14
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,[a] that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ,[b] and you are all brethren.
9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.[c]
How would the above Scripture change our daily living? May God help us to humble ourselves that God may exalt us eventually. The exaltation may not be on this side of eternity, so don’t always look for it but let’s keep doing good. Amen.
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