Exodus 12:14-39; Matthew 20:29-21:11; Psalms 26:1-8; Proverbs 10:23
NT: “When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there with her colt. Untie them and bring them to me…“ This took place so that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Tell Daughter Zion, “See, your King is coming to you, gentle, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” …They brought the donkey and the colt; then they laid their clothes on them, and he sat on them. A very large crowd spread their clothes on the road; others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. Then the crowds who went ahead of him and those who followed shouted: Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven! When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in an uproar, saying, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”” (Matthew 21:1-2, 4-5, 7-11 CSB)
Celebrity is such a dangerous temptation and distracting ruse. I never thought of this until today – but I wonder if the crazed fanaticism that occurred on that “Palm Sunday” was one of the temptations the enemy used to try and lure Jesus away from His destiny. Celebrity can be so intoxicating when it occurs – to the point that the objects of celebrity often sink into compromise to try and maintain it. I can’t say that because it may offend my fans… I can’t do that because people may stop following me… I can’t think that because what if it slipped and someone found out what I really believed. Jesus entered Jerusalem in that specific way to fulfill a generations-old prophecy, but how many of those people who were shouting Hosanna and casting their garments were truly followers of Jesus? Or were they merely hoping to benefit from who they hoped He was? So often, we equate celebrity with being right or being blessed… we get on platforms and thank God for making us celebrities. We sing songs written by “Christian celebrities” without even considering the lyrical content. We stream the messages given by “celebrity pastors” without considering the theological content of their sermons. We do this because we assume that because they are celebrities, they must be right and blessed of the Lord. That may be the case, but from what I have observed, celebrity quickly erodes into a compromised message that is designed to give the masses what they want instead of honoring the truth of the Word. Thankfully, Jesus didn’t allow celebrity to hook Him. Thankfully, He was focused on pleasing His Father and not pleasing the crowds. Lord, help me to not be concerned with being popular, but being precisely aligned with Your word, Your will, and Your ways. Help me to seek first Your kingdom and trust you to provide the platforms, however grand or humble they may be.
Jamie Hicks 