Study 12 - 2007: 28th May - 3rd June 2007

Do You Like Being Noticed?

“Jesus’ brothers said to him, “leave this place and go to Judaea, so your followers will see the things you are doing. No one hides what he is doing if he wants to be well known. Since you are doing theses things, let the whole world know about you. (not even his brothers believed in him)”. John Chapter 7:verses 3 to 5 (Good News Bible).

It is surprising how many times golfers have asked me as a Chaplain if I have met the great players like Greg Norman, Peter Senior and more recent younger players such as Adam Scott and Aaron Baddeley. In Professional sport we exalt our stars and to be associated with them is seen to be favourable. Even some Christians seem to think that ministering to famous people is more valuable than to others.
Most are disappointed when I tell them that my emphasis in recent days is on working among the younger professionals. We like to be noticed for our achievements or whom we associate with.

Jesus’ brothers (the word brothers can literally mean his brothers or his disciples) wanted Jesus to go back to Judaea for a Festival where large crowds would be staying and to show his power among the people. They wanted him to be seen, do some miracles and to be well known. They felt Jesus’ working in the more obscure region of Galilee was not the best place for him to be. They wanted Jesus to be in the spotlight.

Jesus resisted this because he was not a showman. He didn’t need to be noticed, nor was his ministry primarily a showpiece to say he was great. Even though he did many spectacular miracles like raising the dead, calming the storm and healing the sick, it was his concern for people, especially the poor and needy that was his emphasis, and not to be seen.

Many of us like to avoid the poor, or the hacker or high handicapper because they don’t meet our standards. Jesus never got trapped into the seduction of wanting to be noticed or to be seen or to mix with the great.

Many people are aware that Bernhard Langer is a Christian. I watched him play in the Sponsors Pro-Am on the Wednesday in the Greg Norman Holden International (he finished second in the tournament) at the Lakes Golf Club in 1998. It is the only time in a Pro-Am I have seen a Professional never walk ahead of his amateur partners, look for their lost balls and help them out with their game and read their putts for them. I recall the amateurs saying when they finished that this was one of their best days in a Pro-Am ever.

What amazed me about Bernhard’s attitude that day was the value he gave helping his partners have a great day. It was like he was the servant and they were the boss. He was noticed in an unusual way. His humility as a great player stood out and the value he gave not to himself, but to his playing partners.
Most of us want to be noticed. Whether it is our achievements, ability, looks, or golf score or whom we know.

For Jesus; neither the timing nor the reason for going to Judaea was right. There will be a time when he will make a public declaration, (on Palm Sunday) but this will be on the way to the cross. What God notices is not what we have or have accomplished, or who we are seen with; but how much we have given of ourselves to God and others.

Prayer, Lord, Help us to see the folly to wanting to be noticed. Rather help us to notice others around us. Amen.