Matthew 23:1-12
A Warning Against Seeking Recognition
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
5 “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6 they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7 they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Matthew 6:19-21
Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
We work hard to store up different things that we think are important, while we live...We have our ideas about life and what these important things are...Jesus taught about the things He felt are important...To Him the treasures of earth meant very little, while heaven means everything...Seeking honor and recognition was not high on Jesus' teaching list...He never sought honor or recognition...But it did come to Him, especially after His death...
Behind seeking honor is a want to be recognized by someone or some group, or by others...That want of honor means very little in heaven...That very want to be honored or recognized by others is an earthly thing, while Jesus teaches us the eternities and the important things after we die...When we want recognition or honor, when we think about it -we do have the motive of this personal recognition from others...
What Jesus taught on earth had He none of these earthly motives of honor, recognition, praise, or fame in His teachings...Earthly things are only temporary...Whenever He received recognition He turned it toward and directed it at His Father in heaven...He understands that these real rewards are given in heaven...When people and crowds came around Him and He became popular, He deflected His popularity toward God, His Father...All of His teachings reflect that the real Treasure and treasures are in heaven...All His motives, when we think about His great popularity, His great fame, and His honor were mostly, if not all, after His death, resurrection, and ascension...He really did not have or get these things (popularity and fame) while He was living, and He did not want them...Only after His death did He find any treasures in His mind that He wanted...We must somehow learn to think like Him...He teaches us that any recognition on earth meant very little to Him...The great gifts are the things we cannot see and cannot get to until we get to heaven...Those very treasures of honor, important seats, and being being loved to be greeted with respect -are fleeting are soon gone...The unseen gifts are the eternities, the fruit of the Spirit are given out in heaven by our Father, Himself...The heavenly things last forever and cannot be destroyed...They last an eternity...