Why It’s Difficult To Be Popular And Humble
What do you think? Is it possible to be popular and humble?
Ariana Grande was darling as Glinda in Wicked. I especially enjoyed her performance of the song Popular!
The last line of the song always invites a smile…
You’ll be popular –
Just not as quite as popular
As me!
Because it’s true, isn’t it? Those who crave popularity don’t give it up easily. They may willingly share the spotlight as long as it shines a little more brightly on them.
But John the Baptist was the perfect example of someone who was both popular and humble.
His disciples learned that people were flocking to and following Jesus. So, they came to John saying…
“Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to Him instead of coming to us.”
John 3:26
Jesus was becoming more popular than John the Baptist! It would have been normal for John to feel disappointed and jealous, but instead, he quickly expressed his God-given humility.
Here’s how John shared his response…
“I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for Him.’ I am filled with joy at His success. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. Anyone who accepts His testimony can affirm that God is true. For He is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives Him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves His Son and has put everything into His hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life.”
John 3:28, 29b–31a, 33–36a
Remember, God sent John the Baptist to tell everyone about the Messiah, the Light of the World. (John 1:6–9) He was born to point people to Jesus.
And so are you and I.
But if we want to point people to Jesus, we must know Him. The question becomes … do we KNOW well this Jesus to whom we’re sending people?
The Life Application Bible Notes add:
“Who is Jesus Christ? If you accept Jesus as only a prophet or teacher, you have to reject His teaching, for He claimed to be God’s Son, even God Himself.”
That’s why we continuously SEEK to KNOW Him. The more we know God’s Son, the more His Spirit works in us to LOVE, TRUST, and OBEY Him.
Let’s ask ourselves, Do I KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Him enough to willingly lift Him up and humble myself? Are we willing to become less so that He might be great in our lives and lives of those around us?
Solomon wrote…
Pride leads to disgrace,
Proverbs 11:2
but with humility comes wisdom.
So, let’s pray and ask the Lord to bless us with humility and wisdom by His grace for His glory.
A Prayer to be
Popular and Humble
for God’s Glory
Father God, You inspired writers to tell us the importance of living with humility throughout the pages of Scripture. Verse after verse You tell us to be humble before You and people You created.
James wrote, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.” (James 4:10) Isaiah wrote, “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at My word.” (Isaiah 66:2)
Jesus taught the importance of being humble, “God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” (Matthew 5:5) And showed us how – “Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Thank you for sending John the Baptist, an imperfect person like me, who willingly fulfilled his calling to teach people about their need for repentance and the saving grace of the Messiah, Jesus.
We are so easily tempted by popularity and power. Please forgive us. Please forgive me. Give me everything I need to follow John the Baptist’s example. Help me willingly humble myself so that You might receive the glory in my life.
If I am ever popular, I pray that I will be popular and humble. I pray that I might accomplish the plans and purposes for which You created me. I pray for the courage to give myself to You daily so that You might transform me and make me more like Jesus. In whose name I pray. Amen.
Why was John willing to humbly cheer on Jesus’ popularity?
Because by God’s grace, John KNEW Jesus.
“He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but He has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what He has seen and heard, but how few believe what He tells them! Anyone who accepts His testimony can affirm that God is true. For He is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives Him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves His Son and has put everything into His hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life.
John 3:31–36a
The more you and I experience the blessings of knowing and loving Jesus, the more easily we will willingly humble ourselves for His glory.
Are you ready to make it your heart’s desire to humbly make Jesus popular?
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Such wonderful words here today, Deb, as always. May we humble ourselves daily to know Jesus and make Him known in this hurting world. Blessings!
Humility is a true gift from God! I remember when I was a young teenager something my daddy told me. I was talking to him about the “popular girls” and other “popular kids” in school. I wanted to be one but was not. Just good old Sue! Daddy told me to just be myself; that later on in life, when school was over and done, I would find out that it didn’t matter who was popular or not. We would all be glad to see each other and remember the good old days in school. No one would remember whether you were that popular or not. He was right. HE usually was always right. Lots of wisdom and humility my daddy had, and he was a wonderful influence on me. I know that being a follower of Jesus is the most important way in my life.
Thank You Deb 🥰 SO TRUE 👏🏼❗️We All Are GIVEN DIFFERENT gifts to help Mankind , Serve And Other Gifts HE GAVE US to GLORIFY HIM 👑💫✨👍🏼❤️Instead of Us Striving To GET Mans APPROVAL 👏🏼 HE APPROVES of US And THATS WHAT We SHOULD LOOK 👀 AT When We Go OUT INTO The World 🌍 To SERVE HIM 👑❤️❗️He’s The ☝🏼 one Who Puts it In OUR HEARTS 💕 BC HES TALKING To US if We Listen.😊G-d❤️LOVES US 👍🏼❤️