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6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer
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 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.
(Matthew 6:1-6, NIV)

Jesus isn’t condemning public worship; He is condemning theatrical religion. The Greek word used for “hypocrites” in these verses refers to stage actors wearing masks.

The Methodist movement was born because John Wesley noticed that many people were “mask-wearing” Christians—attending church but lacking the “power of godliness.”

Reflection:
The Audience: When I do a good deed or say a prayer, am I seeking “applause”? From whom? If no one sees my good deeds, will I still continue to do them?

The Door: Jesus says to “shut the door” when we pray. Am I authentic before God? What is my life like when no one is watching?

The Reward: Performance-based faith gets its reward immediately (human praise). Secret-based faith may not bring immediate rewards, but we will receive a reward from the “Father who sees in secret.” Which type of reward am I seeking?

In the Methodist tradition, we talk about “going on to perfection”—which is a journey of being perfected in love. John Wesley recognized that we cannot simply “will” ourselves into holiness; instead, it is God who empowers us for holy living.

When we practice spiritual disciplines such as studying the Scriptures, fasting, partaking in the Holy Communion, visiting the sick and advocating for justice, we aren’t “earning” merits with God. Rather, we are drawing close to the God who loves us.

During Lent, these spiritual disciplines take on deeper significance. We remember we are shaped by what we consume—not just physical food, but the Word and the Witness of the faith community. As we pray and fast this season, let us remember that we are being molded into the image of Christ, one “holy habit” or spiritual discipline at a time.

On this first Sunday of Lent, we walk with Jesus into the wilderness. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read that Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” This wilderness experience was meant to prepare Jesus for ministry.
Lent is a season of sanctifying grace — a time when the Spirit searches our hearts and strengthens our relationship with Him. Our wilderness experience becomes holy ground as we encounter Him.

In the wilderness, Jesus faces three temptations: (1) to turn stones into bread, (2) to test God’s protection, and (3) to hold on to worldly power. Each temptation tries to lure Jesus to choose self-sufficiency over dependence on God, self-reliance over obedience, and control over surrender. Yet each time, Jesus responds to the temptations with Scripture. Jesus knows His identity as the Son of God.

Our wilderness may not look like desert sands. It may look like anxiety about the future, tension in relationships, or struggles with lust, envy, or pride. Lent gently reveals where we are tempted to rely on ourselves instead of on God.
The good news is this: we do not enter the wilderness alone. The same Spirit who led Jesus leads us. The same Word that strengthened Him strengthens us. And because Jesus has already overcome temptation, we walk not toward defeat but toward resurrection.

Reflection:
Where am I testing God rather than trusting God?
Which area am I struggling to surrender to Jesus?

Let this be a week of honest self-examination. Fast from whatever distracts you from hearing God’s voice. Read Scripture daily. Attend worship services and fellowship with other believers. Trust that even in barren and dry places, God’s grace is at work.