Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.
Mark 3:7-8
Celebrity seems to be a major feature of western society these days; so many children want to grow up to be famous, with no idea of what they’re going to be famous for. Here in Britain we have a strange relationship with our celebrities. On the one hand, we worship them like twenty-first century Gods, following every detail of their lives. As soon as they put a foot wrong, though, or become too famous, or too rich, we delight in tearing them down again.
When I was working in London, David Blaine shut himself in a Perspex box just down the river from my school. Blaine had been used to the adoration of American fans, yet when he reached England, people were more interested in jeering at him and throwing things at his box. All very peculiar!
Jesus quickly became a celebrity. Here we are, only up to the third chapter of Mark’s fast-moving gospel, and we see him being followed by huge crowds of people who had come to see this incredible man. News of Jesus’ teaching, his healing, and his miracles had spread far and wide, and people were traveling great distances to see him for themselves. Here was someone who seemed to deserve his celebrity; he was doing impressive things!
Jesus certainly created quite a stir in the first century AD, yet his fame has spread for more than 2,000 years, so that people are still eager to listen to what he has to say, and to learn more about his miracles. Are you amongst that number? Are you desperate to meet Jesus for yourself? Keep with us on the Mark Marathon – we’ll encounter Jesus together!
