Celebrity Jesus Series

There were the fanciful that are always attracted to what is happening. They had heard about Jesus and they wanted see if they could get a glimpse of him and perhaps even see him pull off another miracle.

There were the curious who were there just to get a glimpse of Lazarus… the guy Jesus had supposedly raised from the dead. John 12:9 says, “A large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only to see him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.”

As is true of every movement where there are rising hopes, there is hostile opposition. There were also the enemies of Jesus. John 12:10-11 says that religious leaders made plans to kill Jesus and Lazarus as well, for “on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.”

I am a fan of Kellie MacMullan and KWGNs News on the Deuce. Kellie is attractive, poised and keeps the action moving on the nightly news. I like Dave Fraser, AP award winning Meteorologist and the way he enthusiastically keeps me on the edge of my chair as he spins the weather. I’m not a techie guy but I enjoy watching gadget geek Nina Sparano’s Internet Café and technology spot. Zubin Mehenti is a knowledgeable sports reporter. But I especially enjoy it when there is something happening and Kellie MacMullan lays a bit of ground work and then the camera switches from the studio to a live on the street reporter in front of the County Jail where the latest bad-person is being held or to the scene of the latest wild fire or on snowy nights to a reporter shivering in the snow on Floyd Hill and after they’ve given their spiel they say, “Back to you Kellie.”

Jesus was newsworthy. If Kellie MacMullan had been in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, a reporter from News on the Deuce would have been in that crowd with a camera and a mike to capture the moment when Jesus passed along the parade route.

Jesus was a sensation.

Conclusion:

Parades and Red Carpet appearances and Awards Ceremonies are places where the beautiful and bright and gifted people of the world smile and wave to adoring audiences. They posture and pose for the camera and then the next day we can catch up on the previous nights “fashion hits” and “fashion misses.” Smiling celebrities wearing designer clothes that either reflect impeccable taste or the lack thereof bask in the limelight of their celebrity moments. Cameras flash. Reporters elicit celebrity comments and the curious public crowds the velvet rope to get a better view. Such are festive occasions and those kinds of events are almost always followed by elaborate parties where the very fortunate can actually schmooze with the rich and famous. There is laughter. Every hand holds a cocktail. And every face is smiling.

One of the gospel accounts of the Triumphal Entry (and there are four different perspectives. One in Matthew 21; another in Mark 11; another in Luke 23 and the fourth in John 12.) Only the Apostle John reports that as Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, “He wept over it.” He wept because, despite the presence of many who were faithful followers, most had not a clue that he had come not to be a celebrity, but a Savior.