Tuesday 14th May
Read Matthew 6:5-6
“‘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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (NIVUK)
The link between visibility and reward is slightly strange. There is a reward that comes from being seen and it accrues immediately to your account. There is also a reward that comes from deliberate invisibility. One is confined to the earth and given by men. The other is found in heaven and given by God.
This strange link between visibility and reward is at the heart of what it means to be Christian. Which makes sense considering we are approaching the very heart of the Sermon on the Mount. That this link is central to our faith is best illustrated by a passage Paul wrote to the Colossian church.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4) (NIVUK)
Heaven and earth. Seen and unseen. Life and death.
Glory.
