A tonne of us at least wish to be great, in some aspect of life. Whether the richest in your family, the most attractive girl in the neighborhood, the biggest spender on parties, name it. Most of us, deep inside, have an ego and fantasize often about achieving these dreams and be recognized and respected by those around us. We all yearn for recognition and oftentimes fame, among those familiar to us. Not everyone though.
This fame and popularity arising from recognition; in as much as it’s gratifying and thrilling. There is a downside to it. It is prone to spark envy, hatred, jealousy, illusionary assumptions, and other related dilemmas. And this the side most people skip.
What’s more weird, is that even Jesus experienced the downside of fame. Yes, there were many who were envious of Him. Even His own brothers, but the ones that hated Him the more, were His fellow priests.
The Pharisees and Sadducees never really looked at Jesus as a messenger of God. At least not in any of the questions they ever asked Him, while He was teaching. Lemme show you one of the questions in Matthew 21:23-27 NKJV
Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”
24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?”
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
If you go back a little bit, you see where the attention of the chief priests was. It was not on the great good things Christ was doing. It was on the envy that they had against Him. One; He wasn’t really a part of them because His lineage was out of Judah not Levi like the rest of the priests. And by the look of things, Christ had not served in any temple before, yet He was so familiar with the law. Furthermore, He spoke impacting messages that felt like it was God speaking. Mind you, all this influence was normally attributed to priests only. Only them had access to the inner chambers of the Holy Temple. Even the deep things of God.
Yet here was this ordinary carpenter, being followed by all sorts of sinners, fishermen, tax collectors, even thieves. Defying all the known sanctimonious norms while still manifesting more glory of God than any priest that ever existed.
Now this definitely ricocheted His fame, but also birthed His initial downfall. On His crucifixion.
Going back to your wish for fame, as much you may deeply want it. Be it through being used by God in glorious ways. Whether performing miracles, prophesying, or whatever other way you always fantasize about. There is a downside to this glory you so desperately long for. It’s an illusion.
People don’t chase after famous people because they do like them as a person. Rather people are chasing after the product this famous person is offering. Just like you go to a concert to see a famous artist. You don’t go to see her as a person, no. You are much more interested in her talent than you are, in her personal life. Or should I put it this way: fame sells the service, not the person.
This is what the chief priests were jealous of, the great authority and miracles, Jesus walked in. This is what you are chasing, hoping it will make you more respectable, successful or even more meaningful as a person. You are right, but don’t be deceived that people are so interested in you. No. Even if you dared take the risk and pursued that art, career, or investment and it turned out a success. And you become famous. People will celebrate your achievements, not you.
That’s why Christ warned us not to give ourselves to men. For their praise is as empty as the morning dew. It is gratifying when everything is all cosy but scoff comes the day you fall. The very people that laid palm tree branches for Christ as He arrived in Jerusalem, are the same people that shouted; ‘crucify Him!’
If Christ(God) was scoffed at by mere men, how much more will they scoff at you?
Therefore, don’t let the glass of fame deceive you. Nor the praise of men. Rather, stand strong and yield to the will of the Holy Spirit. There you will be whatever you want to, without any deceit and betrayal.
