Praying in Public, doing righteousness deeds in front of others and public fasting were things people did to keep they public status up high:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
We need to keep in mind that for Jews community religion was in the center of life.
These were things to do to be respected and honored and praised
We can ask why to do it?
Well, for that same reasons we do things today to have good opinion among others.
Some of them would be:
Buying bigger house than we need, so people can see…
Having car far above my needs, or my status.. to show off
Wearing brand clothes, and so stay among those who are trendy, who have swag, who are in the center of public life
Having the newest phone, laptop, tablet, every few months, to show others that I keep with technology and am computer savvy
Wearing the most expensive sun glasses : )
Having big boat just to show neighbors how awesome I am
And many others..
Lest be honest, there is nothing wrong with big house, nice car, great clothes, newest phone, good shades to protect your eyes or nice boat for family recreation.
The question that is important is why do I have/do all these things?
Today religion is not in center of the life, so fasting and public praying don’t mean anything to us, don’t impress anyone at all.
Doing righteousness deeds is still praised. But Jesus leave it to our hearts. Why do I do what I do? Because it’s good, I need it, or because I want to show off before others, be famous, respected and cool?
Another important part of the picture is to see that things I own, have, do – don’t make me somebody instantly better, cooler, more awesome. My value comes from tender heart of God who loves me and cares for me, who adopted me so I can live as his beloved son or daughter. As a son or daughter of the King of Universe.
vessel4him 