August 24

Day 163: Audience of One

This morning, it was impossible for me to rush through reading the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7.) We preached through this passage a couple of years ago, and still even now it stops me dead in my tracks.

Chapter 6 begins with, "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."

In other words, don't do what you do simply to impress other people. But what happens if any of us do just that?

Back in His day, Jesus knew the reward any Roman military hero wanted and expected - he anticipated a "Triumph." For us, a triumph is a synonym for a win. For the ancient Romans, a Triumph was a parade, an honor given to a conquering leader.

Before cheering crowds, he would ride through the streets of Rome. In a golden chariot pulled by matching white horses. Conquering army marching behind. Vanquished captives following in chains.

The hero got exactly what he wanted. Acclaim and applause. From other people. From the masses.

Matthew 6:2 says those who are generous, only to be seen by others, "have received their reward." Verse 5 says the same of those who pray in public, only to be applauded by others. They have received their reward.

Verse 16 applies the same to those who deny themselves by fasting. Being seen by others as "godly" is their reward.

Jesus is saying that these want and get what they will. And no more. No "reward from your Father who is in heaven."

Now, before we go further, let us at least attempt to be real. We all do the above. At least, we're constantly bombarded with the motivation to do so. (Except for the parade through Rome part.) Pastors are particularly susceptible.

We want to impress. We want to be seen as important, worthy and valuable. We want to do whatever is necessary to raise our own stock value.

I read once that anytime we begin a sentence with, "Well..." we will finish the sentence with something defensive. (Think about that for a minute.)

Being defensive is actually (strangely) a desire to be liked; to be approved; to be seen as right - therefore good. Explain away our faults so all that's left is our virtue.

Being defensive is therefore a round about way of demanding a Triumph.

Similar to this, have you ever done something sacrificial, noble or good, and been disappointed that no one noticed? Disappointed you weren't rewarded with a Triumph?

On the other hand, Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 to desire greater - the reward from our Father who is in heaven.

He says to do what we do...in secret. Other people don't see what we do out of their view, but God does.

Jesus is essentially telling us that when we try so hard to impress others, we're living below our privileges as children of the King.

Because we have chosen and are satisfied with a lesser level of acclaim over that which is greater. Problem is, compliments and "ooh's and awe's" from others don't stick. The more we get, the more we seem to need.

So Jesus says, "Why bother with that?" Seek better, seek instead the reward from the Father.

He sees everything we do, and what's behind everything we do. And He rewards those who seek only His good pleasure. He is, ultimately, our audience of one.

- Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau