“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2 NASB).
In a culture where independence reigns and self-proclamation gushes from social media as expertise, it is imperative that an autonomous action a Christian should see is the independent praise of another.
As believers we are dependent on Christ for our salvation, the Holy Spirit for our direction, and the body of Christ for our edification and correction. But praise is greatly served from another, particularly one less familiar with us.
Luke illustrates such in Christ’s calling of Matthew. Notice the difference in the gospel writer’s description:
• As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collector’s booth; and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him (Matthew 9:9 NASB).
• After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him (Luke 5:27-28 NASB).
Matthew, in writing about himself, kept his calling quite simple—Jesus saw him, called him, and he followed. However, Luke takes it a step deeper and offers a praise: Jesus ‘noticed’ Levi (Matthew), called him, and Levi ‘left everything behind.’
Arguably the Greek words for ‘saw’ and ‘notice’ come close in definition. Both speak to a depth of viewing that is beyond the casual. But ‘notice’ (used less than half the times of the word ‘saw’ by the New Testament writers) carries with it a profundity of looking upon one with admiration, as with an important person.
In my mind, I envision Luke wanting us to know that Jesus ‘noticed’ Matthew with a gleam in His eyes and a slight smile of pleasure on His lips as one who will be a part of His apostolic foundation.
The blatant way Luke describes Matthew’s response to Jesus’ call shouts praise well above the subtlety of how Jesus noticed him: “And he [Matthew] left everything behind and got up….” Even the order of response speaks to Matthew’s commitment, and thus, praise. Luke did not write that Matthew got up and left everything behind. Rather, he left everything behind and got up, signifying a leaving of everything in his heart and spirit prior to his physical departure from the booth of his provision.
Believers must not fall into the snare of doing things for the praises of men. We must do everything for the audience of One. But believers can offer praise for one another. Such praise not only encourages the saint, but can bring glory to God as well!
