In what way did Jesus not do his acts of mercy to be seen by men? In what way would He lose His reward in heaven if He did?

Jesus whole ministry was in secret. He didn't announce His visit before the powerful, but before shepherds. He often told people not to tell anyone that He had healed them–because He didn't want to impress men. He only wanted to give. He knew that if He paraded His giving before men they would follow Him for the wrong reasons. And if they followed for the wrong reasons they would not trust Him. And if they did not trust Him they would not enter the kingdom of heaven. And the salvation of His people was Jesus' reward from His Father in heaven.

Jesus did not sound a trumpet before any of His miracles–not His birth, not His healings, not His resurrection, not His ascension. He could have really impressed men with these things, but He did not want to lose them in the process.

Jesus did not want the glory of men–the praise and approval of men–for He knew what was in men. If He was impressing men, He could be sure that He wasn't pleasing His Father. If Jesus had impressed men, He would truly have already had His reward here, but He didn't want to be a king of earthly sinners–He wanted to the be king of a changed people, the king of a people who love–a heavenly kingdom.

Therefore all His ministry now is in secret. He is walking here not openly, visibly, but by His Spirit. The Spirit blows where it wants and no one can see it, but it has power effects. So at Pentecost there was a mighty rushing wind–no one could see it, but Jesus was there.

Prayer

Two sections	–not like the hypocrites who do it to be seen by men

–not like the heathen who use vain repetitions thinking that they will be heard for much speaking.

In what way did Jesus pray in secret, not to be seen by men?

Always went off to pray by Himself.

not with vain repetitions?

His prayers were simple.

praying the Father's will be done?

Gethsemane

In what way did Jesus not

In what way did Jesus forgive men their trespasses and receive the Father's forgiveness?

Jesus is in heaven interceding for us–again in secret, not here openly where we can see. He is praying that the Father's kingdom come, that we may all be one in Him.

Fasting