As the crowds gather. The lights play back and forth the over
the skyline. People in their
best finery are arriving. Some in long chauffeured cars.
Others come in taxis or special
shuttle vehicles. Valets open doors and help the occupant
descend. Doormen and ushers stand at the ready, waiting to
assist any of those who may request or need help.
The building is
decorated in anticipation of this Special Event. Backdrops,
lighting and
sound systems have been installed. Everything is checked and
rechecked. Even the climate is
controlled. So that no one is to hot or too cold. Special police
are around observing the crowd to ensure nothing goes wrong.
Everything is cleaned and polished in anticipation of this "great
event."
The marquee
reads some celebrity's name, and the lights flash as they appear to
encircle
the name and information concerning the event about to happen.
It may be a concert with a big band. It may even be a single
recital with one person and one instrument, a well know singer or
comedian. But one thing is assured; there is a gala event about
to happen. Large sums of money have been collected to
"support" and put on this event and no one complained of the
price, because it is worth it to see this "famous" person,
to hear them play, sing or recite.
The crowd is
50,000 or more strong in attendance, with thousands turned away, from
this "special" event. The celebrity arrives and the
crowds press around them. Reporters, TV crews, fans. All
wanting "just a word", "just a moment of his time"
a comment or quotation. Anything he has to offer his public.
All waiting with anticipation, "baited breath", is the
phrase often used. He steps to the mike and calm, silence, the
bedlam ceases. "Hush, he's about to speak, shhhh, be quiet, he's
going to speak to us, Listen!"
All eyes are
"admiringly" focused on this individual or this group.
All ears tuned to hear
the first words or strains of music. Hush; be still, the one we
came to see is here!
So it goes. The performance is over the "center of
attention" takes a deep bow, thanks the
crowd and leaves, only to repeat the same performance the next night
to a different crowd. He leaves the crowd with an evening of
excitement and special memories for days to come.
The crowd is gone, the sound system removed, the lights turned off.
The decoration is
removed and the marquee is changed in preparation of the next
"event."
It's
Israel, Bethlehem, circa 3 - 4 BC, a scream of pain, a cry, He's here,
He's here, the one
we have come to see is here! The one we've been waiting for
.???
Where's the press, TV,
"fans?" Is the sound system working? Where are
the special guards, lights,
who decorated this place??? And could
someone please open a window.
A stable, a
barn, no hoe down, no big bands no funny lyricists, but most
definitely a
"special event." No marquee, but His name was Jesus,
Savior of the World, Lion of Juda, Rose of Sharon, Lilly of the Valley
. Son of God! The anointed one, the Christ. But still
no crowds, no press and only one light playing across the skyline.
No cost for the event.
They even had
to send "promoters" out into the fields, to smelly
shepherds, to promote the event and invite them to come and see this
"marvel of marvels". Oh, later Kings and high level
rulers would seek Him out. Some to hear what he had to say,
others to destroy Him, end His career, put a stop to His
"performances".
But let's look
at His performances.
It was a gala
event, music, singing, dancing, big crowds,
a happy occasion.
Two people had pledged their lives to each other and had become man
and wife. Congratulations, hugs and kisses were in abundance.
Everything was perfect, except there seemed to be a shortage not
previously anticipated. The drink of the occasion had run out.
The "caterer" had dropped the ball. Present at this
event was a woman, Mary, who "was" at this "great
arrival" in Bethlehem, as well as the "celebrity",
Jesus of the occasion. So Mary asked Jesus if He would help out
with this problem. After a bit of "discussion", (as
most children will do), did as Mary, His mother asked (as all children
should). He told the servants to fill some water bottles to the
brim, draw some out and take it to the Master of Ceremonies.
When they did they found it to be a very delicious and delicate wine
(grape juice, non-fermented). He had turned simple, plain water
to wine. No reporters rushed Him, no TV crew turned a camera on
Him, and no one even thanked Him. He,
didn't take a bow.
This celebrity
continued His "career" until He was roughly 30. About
the same age as most "performers" today. Along the way
doing "other performances" in varied towns. No Silver
Eagle here, just feet, boats and
on one occasion, a donkey.
Yet His performances were duplicated by very few and are seldom seen
today.
For example,
Martha and Mary, two sisters, were weeping because of the loss of
their
brother Lazarus. Lazarus was a good and loved friend of Jesus'
as well. When He heard of his death, he too wept, thus showing
the human side of His nature, and asked to be taken to Lazarus grave
or tomb. As help was procured to roll away the stone covering
the entrance to the "cave", Jesus stepped forward and again
performed. This time an oration, with the words, "Lazarus
Come Forth!" Joy of joys, HE DID!! All around were jubilant and
celebrating with Lazarus and his family, shaking his hand, hugging and
clapping. But for Him there was no standing ovation, no bright
spotlights "bathed" Him, no fireworks silhouetted Him, and,
He
didn't take a bow.
His career was
highlighted by other such performances. The sick, the lame, the
deaf,
blind, the list goes on and on, the hungry. There was no end to
the variety of His performances. Not a routine of the same
songs, dances, jokes, words. No, each one was different, so if
you caught His act more than once, you still came out with
"special memories for days to come."
He raised Lazarus as we just mentioned. Two sisters reunited
with a loved brother. How
deep their loss, how great their joy. But another time it was
two parents. Their child was dead. Oh the grief that must
have been felt on this occasion. Their very offspring, dead,
just lying there and them helpless. Racked with pain and grief.
Again Jesus once again stepped center stage to perform. He tried
to comfort the parents by assuring them she was not dead, but asleep.
But, they knew dead when they saw it. So Jesus said "Little
girl
arise." Again jubilation was everywhere.
Applause, hugs and kisses I'm sure. But none for Jesus, the
"celebrity" the "performer". What an act!
But still,
He didn't take a bow.
As he traveled
throughout the area, many people came to hear Him speak, to be taught
and learn from him. Often times late into the evening and for
long periods of time. Often meals were missed and on a few
occasions He had to feed them. Yet He carried no
"provisions" with Him and His "crew". On one
such occasion, He had drawn a crowd of 5,000 men plus women and
children. What a versatile performer, that those of all ages and
walks of life, came to His "gigs". But they did, and
unlike performers of today He took pity on them and fed them.
With What?! A couple of loaves of bread and 3 fish. Now
we're talking in excess of 5,000 people here. Good crowd for the
day, but even at today's standards, we know that some things just
don't stretch. Try feeding a family of 4 with three fish.
Talk about thin fillets. But, there He was, center stage and
once again like the "trooper" He was, came through for His
audience. What a performance, and talk about and encore.
They had more left over than they had to start with! My
My
???
but where's the applause? Why aren't the people on
their feet, instead of just lounging around. With a performance
like this, in which they all participated? Man the kudos should
have been deafening. But no, all was quiet, and
there was no
bow this time either.
Oh the many, many performances of this nature He did throughout his
career, yet only on
one time did anyone take time to thank Him for a particular
"show". Many times He was told
how great He was. But He never took a bow.
As we said earlier, there were those who wanted to "stop the
show" at that they indeed
succeeded. But He had one grand finally to His
"earthly" performances. Despite their killing Him
burying Him,
He Rose From the Dead, and in front of His audience,
ascended to heaven. Man! What an act to follow
but
still,
no bow.
We His audience, His fans, await His "next" performance.
As we stand and testify of
Him, is the only "ovation" He wants. Let us also knell
with humble hearts, "bow" our heads and ask Him to rule in
our lives. For THIS is the "bow" He wants to take.
So let's give Him His due. Oh!
never mind the TV crews and
reporters. Won't need them for His next show.
the author ~ Titus Asbury
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