King Herod’s Reasons to Worship
People Are Watching – Part 1
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:6-15
Key Verse: Matthew 6:5
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Down through the history of man there have always been outward behaviors attached to the worship of God. In the Old Testament we read of things like: “lifting of hands” and “bowing before Him.” The book of Revelation reveals some worshipers who “fall prostrate before the throne.” These and more are common gestures that we humans have used to help us express our worship.
The problem that develops with these gestures of worship is that they can be used without true worship going on in our hearts. Jesus pointed out this fact in our printed key verse. His teaching was about those who enjoyed going to a heavily populated part of the synagogue to do their prayers. Jesus knew their hearts, something no one else can truly know. He lets us know that these kinds of showy prayers are unacceptable. Jesus doesn’t beat around the bush; He clearly calls these pray-ers, hypocrites. When they said their long and loud prayers, they had but one true motive: to be seen by men!
If you have been around the church long, you have probably noticed a few people who seem to be worshiping to be seen by people. They use all the worship gestures, but for all the wrong reasons. Since we are not to judge others, let’s simply focus on ourselves and fight the tendency to use worship to promote ourselves. God is watching and knows the true motives of our hearts.
Father, open my eyes to any offensive ways or motives in my worship. Help me to be an authentic worshiper. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.