Fame

Fame is not a good goal to pursue; but it is an inevitable outcome for some. This may be because of intellectual, or sporting, or artist, or political endeavour, etc., for which they are recognized and applauded. Fame is inevitable as we want heroes, people that extend what is possible, people that inspire, people to look up to, and maybe emulate. Some fame is because of nefarious behaviour – hardly to be emulated or aspired to.

In percentile terms fame is rare – few become famous; even fewer cope with it, because fame tends to work against its recipients. They become the pawns of those that have made them famous - otherwise their fame is short lived. They start to believe the press about themselves; they become different people, as in - not good. They expect to be treated like demi-gods and woe betide those that fail to feed their voracious appetites. Arrogance and pride emboss themselves on these souls. Avoid them.

Jesus was made famous, inevitably, but he avoided fame’s demands and trappings, as much as it is possible. He was never owned/controlled by the crowds that made him famous. He would have been a publicist’s nightmare.

Mark 1.28 - “At once his fame began to spread.” This was due to the deliverance of a demonized man in the synagogue, and his authoritative preaching.

1.33 “the whole city was gathered around the door.”

1.37 “everyone is searching for you.”

1.45 “so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly.”

2.2 “So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them.”

2.13 “Jesus went out … the whole crowd gathered around him, and he taught them.”

3.7 “Jesus departed … a great multitude from Galilee followed him.”

3.8 “great numbers”

3.19-20 “Then he went home, and the crowd came together.”

4.1 “Such a very large crowd gathered around him.”

6.14 “for Jesus’ name had become known.”

Jesus drew large crowds, as Mark is at pains to point out. Everywhere he went crowds quickly gathered. They had neither heard nor seen anything like what Jesus was saying and doing. Miracles will always attract the curious, the onlooker, the seeker – everyone. And his words were fresh air to parched lungs - good news to the poor, the oppressed, the sick, lost and lonely. The crowds and fame bought constant, relentless pressure. At times Jesus and the disciples had no time to eat and rest, so demanding was the need.

So how did he avoid the burnout and deception of fame’s incessant demands.

Mark 1.35 “In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place … prayed.”

1.34 “he would not permit the demons to speak, because the knew him.”

1.40 “After sternly warning him he sent him away … See that you say nothing to anyone.”

3.12 “But he sternly ordered them not to make him known.”

3.13 “He went up the mountain and called to him those he wanted.”

6.30 “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while … they had no leisure even to eat.”

6.45 “Jesus dismissed the crowd and went up on the mountain to pray.”

Jesus constantly disrupted the demands of the crowds by getting away. This is not something fame encourages. One is at the behest of the crowd, contracts, expectations, and one’s own need for affirmation. Fame provides all you could want, but at the cost of your soul, your peace, your wellbeing and the ordinary healthy rhythms of the ordinary – if you allow it. Jesus didn’t. He wasn’t here to appease and entertain crowds, no matter how many miracles he did. He was there to make disciples and announce in word, life and deed the coming of God’s kingdom; a kingdom that has little in common with the world - by his death and resurrection.

Rest recharges our depletion, and depletion from fame is toxic; many burnout, overdose, and spend all they have. Few can live a normal-ish existence, in control of their time and schedule. Some make it through, and invariably admit what a destructive life they’d lead, baited and hooked by fame.

Jesus chose his people. He didn’t have people foisted upon him, bidding him do their will. He chose twelve disciples and got away with them. He was, in this sense, selective and exclusive – both of which are frowned on by this world’s demands of acceptability. Maybe he knew for every day with the crowd you need a day away from the crowd – both alone and with your people.

Lastly, Jesus would not allow demons to advertise him. He did not want the mouth of hell to proclaim to the world who he was, even if what the demons said was true. False advertising he eschewed.

Fame is a fact. Fame is fickle. Fame has a cost. If possible, avoid; if not, follow in Jesus’ footsteps.