Jesus was a walking attraction show. No matter where he went, he attracted an audience. Jesus was a superstar! People wanted to touch, see, and hear him. People would line the streets to watch him walk by, sit on the banks of the sea or the side of a mountain to listen to him speak, or climb a tree just to get a glimpse. Others would stretch their arms just to touch him.
Jesus’ star status wasn’t his music ability, acting skills, nor modeling career. His star qualities for the people of his day were his speaking ability, healing powers, miracle works, and raising the dead.
Thousands upon thousands just wanted a touch of an arm. A healing. A miracle. Or, a moment of his time. The people made Jesus their superstar. Legend. Hall of Fame. Most Valuable Player. Golden Globe. Oscar. Hero.
Jesus’ star status was not self-made. He didn’t sit around thinking up ways he could make millions of dollars and have tens of thousands screaming his name: Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! His star attraction came about because he was faithful to living out the very ideas of his Father. When he was twelve and told his parents. “Why are you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” Luke 2:49 (MSG) also, his service to people made way for his popularity. Jesus said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” Mark 10:45 (NIV)
Serving the needs of people is what got it all started: Jesus heals the sick, cures the man with leprosy, raises the dead to life, the blind can see and the deaf can hear, he feeds thousands, removes demonic spirits, eats with sinners, visits the home of a tax collector, forgives a woman who broke the law of adultery, talks to other people of ethnicity, forgives. Gives grace, submits, humble, and, kept his word to his Father.
Superstar status wasn’t Jesus’ idea. The way he loved people and served made him the attraction of his day. He didn’t’ sell tickets to his events, nor did he have any hidden agenda. He simply wanted everyone to see his Father. John 14 Jesus said, “Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me…That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son….” (MSG)
It is just as important for our twenty-first Century world to see Jesus as an attractive superstar. Not as worldly, but as spiritual. Today’s world will be attracted to Jesus if we live life the way Jesus lived it: Making it about God and not self.
To be spiritually attractive, we live like Jesus: Simple. Prayerful. Loving God and people. Forgiving. Shaping lives. Mentoring. Sacrifice. Grace. Right living. Connecting with people. Mercy. Indwelled Spirit. Making it about God, not self.
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
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