Luke 11:43 (NIV) “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.”
One of the big problems that the Pharisees had is what is commonly called “mission drift.” To become a Pharisee was a process that required commitment and a powerful devotion to God and to His word. It required being willing to devote hours every day to the study of Scripture, and a willingness to set aside personal goals and desires, and to take up passionate obedience to God’s commands, not as a religion, but as a lifestyle.
The problem arose when, after a while, the admiration of people began to be expressed, and when the perks that arose because of that admiration kicked in. These “spiritual giants” were often given the front seats in the synagogue, a coveted place close to the action. And they were usually greeted deferentially in the marketplace.
These signs of admiration would not necessarily be a problem. The problem came when these men began to accept the perks as their due, and the mission began to drift toward the praises of men. The Pharisees were often upset when the expected perks were not offered. If someone else got the front seat in the synagogue, the Pharisee who had to sit in the second row frequently did so with annoyance and hurt feelings, their attention no longer on God, but on themselves. And when someone refused to treat them with the deference that they believed was due, they frequently held a grudge against them. (That was actually the reason behind their backhanded compliment to Jesus when they were trying to trap Him: “You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.” (Matthew 22:16 NIV))
Jesus pronounced woe on these men because, if they were really focused on serving God, they, like Jesus Himself, would serve God, study His ways, and speak His words without caring who noticed, or what kind of benefits came their way as a result. As it was, in their pursuit of God and His blessings, their way had gotten diverted so that they were now serving the idol of position and public praise.
Christians today are not immune to this kind of subtle idolatry, a form of Pharisaism. The symptoms are feeling unappreciated for all that we are doing to “serve the Lord,” or feelings of jealousy when others are acknowledged. And, just like with the Pharisees, the only solution to this problem is to repent, to return to seeking first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and to seek the praise that only comes from God, regardless of whether our work and efforts are recognized and appreciated by the human beings around us.
Father, that really is a subtle trap that is easily stepped into: seeking praise and recognition from people, and feeling hurt or resentful when it isn’t given. Help me to avoid such a focus, and such feelings. Instead, help me to seek You only, and the praise that can come only from You. Amen.