How much of our lives is spent in the pursuit of what is popular or to become popular? For some reason, we are wired with an inborn desire to be liked. We want to be first, and to be the best. Early in childhood we all wanted to be first. First on the best swing, first on the climbing frame (monkey bars for all my US readers), and first to take a turn at hopscotch. From there, everyone slowly steps into line in the “pecking order” of the group. Everyone knows his or her place. The first place always goes to the one who won, who got there first. Thus, the “popular kid” is born.
I was never the popular kid
As you might have guessed, I was never the first kid on the playground. I wasn’t blessed with the speed needed in those days to get the coveted first spot. The fastest ones made it to be first. The rest of us were simply the ones who weren’t fast enough. It felt like being first was all that mattered.
Try as we might, human nature (especially when it is unredeemed) continues to chase after the invisible goal of popularity. As much as we wish it didn’t, the idea of pleasing people, and being propelled into the spotlight as “best in class” still can entice the humblest among us.
Enter Jesus
Jesus did nothing to raise His profile during His ministry on the earth. He wasn’t interested in being popular. His goal was to fulfill His Father’s will (Luke 22:42). That’s all He wanted to be known for.
I imagine it would have been very easy for Jesus to convince the disciples to engage an advertising company. They would have been more than ready to raise banners, start a social media account (not really but the ancient equivalent), and offer free fish sandwiches every Friday evening by the Sea of Galilee. And, there were times it seems the disciples wished He had taken the popular route.
My paraphrase, snap out of it!
Acts 1:6-8 ESV“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’”
Even after all they had witnessed, the disciples still wondered if they were going to be “first” among the nations. Patiently, as per His character, Jesus simply said (my paraphrase), “It’s not for you to know…but I’m giving you power to go, so go and tell the world the Good News.” It seems that His response stunned them for in Acts 1:10,11, they simply stared into heaven and had to “snap out of it!” (Again, my paraphrase!) They couldn’t believe that after all Jesus had been through, that He wanted the world to be reached through them. He wanted them to stop thinking about themselves and look around and see the world as He saw it.
Wherever Jesus went, except when entering Jerusalem for the last time, and even then He rode a humble donkey, He didn’t put much weight into the thought of being popular. Why? Because He knew what was in the hearts of men. He knew, as He went down the road to Jerusalem for the last time with crowds praising Him, that not many days would pass before those who cheered Him on would crucify Him.
Popularity is poison
Popularity is a poison that, when it takes effect, seduces and then destroys those who are unfortunate enough to fall victim to it.
I’ve been reading in the book of Mark. I have begun noting scriptures where Jesus wanted to keep miracles “under wraps” as it were. In 3 chapters alone (chapters 7-9) I found 4 separate instances where Jesus didn’t want anyone to know what had happened. This is seen in Mark 7:24; 7:36; 8:30; and 9:30. Why wouldn’t He want anyone to know about His miracles?
Some say if word got out of the miracles then His ministry would be hindered by the vast crowds. I can understand that viewpoint but there are many instances in the Gospels where Jesus ministered to large multitudes.
The monster of popularity
I wonder if Jesus didn’t try to keep things quiet at times in order to keep the monster of popularity away. Once word got out, for example, that someone has been raised from the dead or been healed of leprosy, I’m sure every ancient newspaper (or weekly scroll if you will) and important figure in town would have wanted to see the person themselves. The “important” people of society would have wanted (and did want) to be associated with the miracles, but not with the mandate. The miracles put the spotlight on those near Jesus. But the mandate to save the sinner put the spotlight on the sin found in the hearts of all mankind.
No one wanted to be known for that.
An opportunity to be popular but choosing otherwise
The Son of God chose to come to this world in the most obscure way. He had more than one opportunity during His earthly life to become popular. And He did become popular for a time. But He was not wooed by it. In the end, he died between two thieves.
I wonder if we took the energy we put into gaining popularity and shifted even a small bit of that energy into “going” (as the disciples were told in Acts 1:8) to all the world, if we would find ourselves in a much better place.
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”
John 15:18 NLT
