Pharisee Book

Around my house I sometimes jokingly refer to Facebook as Pharisee Book. Among Christians especially, this internet tool seems to lend itself particularly well to self promotion. The Pharisees as you know, were adept at performing their works of righteousness for the world to see. And while I realize not everyone is doing that, on those rare occasions when I have to go on there I can’t help but see the similarities.
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? This age old question seems to be just as much an issue with us today as we compare ourselves among ourselves as it was with the disciples during Jesus day. In fact, it seemed like the disciples were constantly squabbling about it, positioning themselves to reap the benefits of the earthy rewards they hoped to get after He established His throne. James and John even got their mother to try to influence Jesus on their behalf. In fact, right up until the night He died they were all still competing with each other.
In Matthew 18, Jesus was asked again who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. It should have been obvious to them that He was. But the humility of Jesus was shown by taking a very young child and sitting him on His lap. Jesus said, “Whoever humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Mark 10:43,44 tells us that after James and John’s mother approached Jesus, that He said, “”Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.” Then He says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many.”
There is a crucial need for this message today in Christianity. In this new era of self service, self promotion, and self improvement, we need a little bit more self sacrifice. Jesus taught us that we show our love for Him by serving others. Our reward is not from earthly recognition, but we lay up our treasure in heaven. We don’t do our good works for the world to see, but our Father in heaven sees those things that are done in secret and He knows our motives. One day He will disclose those things which are hidden, and reward those that were faithful, “but many who are first will be last, and the last, first” when our deeds are judged in eternity.