Choosing the Opposite: The Way of Jesus in the Sermon on the MountSample

Day 4: Secret Instead of Showy

At first glance, these passages warn that being showy in our giving, praying, and fasting seems to contradict Jesus’ earlier instruction to “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) So, which is it Jesus? Should our good deeds be visible or invisible?

Jesus isn’t prohibiting public good deeds. After all, in a few short verses, he will publicly teach his disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9-13).

What Jesus is addressing is our tendency to perform good deeds with the wrong motivation. And what is that motivation? To be seen.

In our selfie-obsessed culture, it’s easy to find ourselves living for the notice, praise, and accolades of other people. Our emotions rise and fall with likes on social media. A cross word from a neighbor can ruin our whole day, while a word of praise from our boss can set us on cloud nine. Of course, it’s normal for us to be emotionally affected by the words and notice of others, but there is a real danger in living for the approval of people.

Living “to be seen” will inevitably clash with our allegiance to Jesus.

If I’m chasing the approval of human beings, I will find myself compromising my allegiance to Jesus. Rather than living my days asking, “What would Jesus choose in this decision?” or “How can I best honor God in this relationship?” or “What would it look like to seek first God’s Kingdom at this moment?”, I’ll find myself contemplating, “How can I make sure people think I’m successful?” or “How can I avoid making that person angry?” or “Which of these 28 pictures I took in the bathroom mirror will garner me the most social media attention?”

Living for the approval of others will divide my allegiance. I can no longer live with the clarity that “Jesus is King!” Now, at times, my boss is king, or my friends are king, or my significant other is king, or the strangers on Instagram are king.

Jesus is challenging us, his disciples, to examine our hearts to make sure we’re following the right King. It’s His approval we need. And by His grace and indescribable gift on the cross, we’ve already secured it.

Living our lives in secret means living for an audience of One. When we choose this way, we will be rewarded as we lose ourselves in self-forgetfulness and find ourselves in the affection of God.

Reflection: In what ways are you chasing after the affirmation of people instead of God? What would look different in your life if you lived for an audience of One?