Day 26: Fan or Follower? (Mark 6:1-6 & Luke 4:16-30)
Devotional: Philly fans aren’t exactly known for their cordiality. In fact, when GQ magazine ran a piece on the worst fans in America, Philadelphia Phillies fans were voted #1 and Philadelphia Eagles fans were voted #2! Which is ironic because Philadelphia is known as “The city of brotherly love”. In fact, the first half of the name, “Phila” comes from the Greek word “Phileo”, which means “love; warm affections”. Former Phillies legend, Pete Rose, once said, “Some of these people would boo the crack in the Liberty Bell”.
Here’s a few examples of these “loving” fans. When the team picked quarterback Donovan McNabb at the 1999 draft, they booed him mercilessly as he made his way to the stage. In 1983, the Washington Redskins mascot Chief Zee was beaten up so bad by fans that he had to use crutches for a year. And in 1968, they not only booed Santa Claus, they also pelted snowballs at him! The fans have even been known to turn on their own as well.
When first baseman Ryan Howard grounded out to end a game, he barely missed getting knocked out by a fan who threw a beer bottle at his head. When DeSean Jackson was traded, a trade he never initiated, fans showed up early to the next game to burn his jersey. Recently at a home game, quarterback Carson Wentz and the offense got booed coming off the field after an interception. What made it so puzzling was that there were hardly any fans because of Covid restrictions. The boos were done through an artificial sound machine. It was operated by the home team!
Not even the home team can catch a break from the fans. And the same could be said with Jesus, the two times recorded in the gospels, when Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. The first time, in Luke 4, they didn’t like what He was teaching so they tried to throw Him off of a cliff. Side note, this passage makes pastors feel at least a little bit better when they're criticized for their own preaching.
The second time, in Mark 6, they were offended because of His miracles since He was born from a poor family instead of a prestigious family. Sometimes you just can’t win with fans! It didn’t matter all the good He did or said, they found something to be critical of. Think about that for a moment… Jesus, the perfect and loving Son of God, and they find something to be critical about. His words were so true, “A prophet is not without Honor, except in his hometown” (Mark 6:4).
It poses a good question for us… Are we fans or are we followers? A fan can be fickle. He doesn’t like how things are going and he boos. He’s paid good money to come to the game so he sees it as his right to treat even the home team however he wants. But a follower is one who is loyal and committed to what is taught or asked by the leader. Jesus deserves and demands our complete loyalty. Do we follow Him wholeheartedly or have we put conditions on our commitment to and affection for Jesus?
Prayer: Are there ways in your life right now that you’re living like a fan instead of a follower? Take time to confess to the Lord and to ask for strength to overcome those areas.
Devotional: Philly fans aren’t exactly known for their cordiality. In fact, when GQ magazine ran a piece on the worst fans in America, Philadelphia Phillies fans were voted #1 and Philadelphia Eagles fans were voted #2! Which is ironic because Philadelphia is known as “The city of brotherly love”. In fact, the first half of the name, “Phila” comes from the Greek word “Phileo”, which means “love; warm affections”. Former Phillies legend, Pete Rose, once said, “Some of these people would boo the crack in the Liberty Bell”.
Here’s a few examples of these “loving” fans. When the team picked quarterback Donovan McNabb at the 1999 draft, they booed him mercilessly as he made his way to the stage. In 1983, the Washington Redskins mascot Chief Zee was beaten up so bad by fans that he had to use crutches for a year. And in 1968, they not only booed Santa Claus, they also pelted snowballs at him! The fans have even been known to turn on their own as well.
When first baseman Ryan Howard grounded out to end a game, he barely missed getting knocked out by a fan who threw a beer bottle at his head. When DeSean Jackson was traded, a trade he never initiated, fans showed up early to the next game to burn his jersey. Recently at a home game, quarterback Carson Wentz and the offense got booed coming off the field after an interception. What made it so puzzling was that there were hardly any fans because of Covid restrictions. The boos were done through an artificial sound machine. It was operated by the home team!
Not even the home team can catch a break from the fans. And the same could be said with Jesus, the two times recorded in the gospels, when Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth. The first time, in Luke 4, they didn’t like what He was teaching so they tried to throw Him off of a cliff. Side note, this passage makes pastors feel at least a little bit better when they're criticized for their own preaching.
The second time, in Mark 6, they were offended because of His miracles since He was born from a poor family instead of a prestigious family. Sometimes you just can’t win with fans! It didn’t matter all the good He did or said, they found something to be critical of. Think about that for a moment… Jesus, the perfect and loving Son of God, and they find something to be critical about. His words were so true, “A prophet is not without Honor, except in his hometown” (Mark 6:4).
It poses a good question for us… Are we fans or are we followers? A fan can be fickle. He doesn’t like how things are going and he boos. He’s paid good money to come to the game so he sees it as his right to treat even the home team however he wants. But a follower is one who is loyal and committed to what is taught or asked by the leader. Jesus deserves and demands our complete loyalty. Do we follow Him wholeheartedly or have we put conditions on our commitment to and affection for Jesus?
Prayer: Are there ways in your life right now that you’re living like a fan instead of a follower? Take time to confess to the Lord and to ask for strength to overcome those areas.
Posted in Come Follow Me