By Allen White
Everything they do is done for people to see: They make
their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the
place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they
love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by
others.
Matthew
23:5-7
Insecure
people need to feel they are better than others. They like to brag and show
off. They like to keep others guessing simply because they like other people to
think about them. They like to intrigue simply because they enjoy the
attention. TMZ was made for them.
This
passage is kind of funny to me, because the things that were so valued by the
religious leaders of Jesus’ day really don’t make any sense to us today.
Honestly, most of us wouldn’t recognize a phylactery if it hit us on the head.
We don’t even know how to pronounce it.
Phylacteries
came out of a literal interpretation of the Law. “Fix these words of mine in
your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your
foreheads” (Deuteronomy 11:18). An interpretation of these words would mean to
“get God’s Word into your thoughts.” The religious leaders took this literally
and would put slips of paper containing verses in leather boxes, and then attach
them to their heads.
If
God’s Word wasn’t in their head, at least it was right next door. Somehow it
might seep in by osmosis. I don’t believe that this will start any new
Christian trends, but I’m also never surprised.
While the religious customs in these verses aren’t
meaningful to us, the question is whether we do spiritual things out of
sincerity or for show. Is our motive to impress or to inspire? The problem is
that by drawing attention to ourselves, we draw attention away from God. For
some, our religious behavior might even put an obstacle in their path to God.
What do you try to do that lets people know you’re okay
spiritually (or superior)? Do you raise your hands in worship out of routine?
Do you “spontaneously” do the same thing every Sunday? Do you dress a certain
way? Do you talk a different way at church than you do in other places?
What part of your reputation is necessary for you to feel
okay about yourself? Do you need to blend in? Or, do you need to stand out? Do
you need to do everything just right? Or, do you need to be outrageous?
God wants to entirely fulfill your life. God wants you to be
secure and confident in who He has created you to be. God desires for you to
have a quiet strength that doesn’t require bragging or boasting. God wants to
give you the life that you’ve dreamed of. Are you willing to receive it?
Support Galatians 419 Ministries with a Tax Deductible Donation through the Joy to the World
Foundation:http://joytotheworldfoundation.org/operating-projects/149-galations-419-ministries/backing
Leave a Comment or Subscribe: galatians419.blogspot.com
More from Allen White: allenwhite.org
Facebook: Galatians419
Group
No comments:
Post a Comment