Going Viral

So many possible videos,
Which ones shall we see?
Star Wars Kid? Talking Twins?
Again…Charlie Bit Me?

People from all over,
Watch others they don’t know.
Do silly things, or tender things.
See places they might go.

There is no rhyme or reason,
Which one will it be?
The one that will go viral,
That millions want to see.

Why are we so infatuated,
With other people’s lives?
For a minute or two…the great escape.
No need for us to strive.

Some videographers try too hard.
Some don’t even try.
What they say…any day,
Takes us by surprise.

Perhaps we should go viral,
With a message loud and clear.
Jesus died and rose again.
So many need to hear.

Go viral as we tell it,
The Gospel message true.
Creative ways to engage,
The minds and hearts who view.

Go and make disciples,
Here and everywhere.
Baptize them and teach them.
I will be right there.

Do this in the name,
Of the Father, Spirit, Son.
Teach them to obey,
My commandments…every one!

I have all authority,
In heaven and on earth.
GO and MAKE…the mandate.
Belief…new life…new birth.

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I pondered the whole concept of viral videos today.
It baffles my mind how one video takes off for no apparent reason.
One video with millions of viewers.
While other videos languish on the sidelines.

Is it word of mouth, perhaps?
Is it sharing through social media?

You will always find the finger pointing…the admonition.
Reminding you what mindless things you share.
All the while telling you why THIS particular video is worth sharing.
Trying to make you feel guilty for not sharing what the other person deems share-worthy.

Sharing or not sharing is very subjective.
It comes down to your likes and preferences, and the likes and preferences of another.

However, as a culture, what piques our interest?
What is worth sharing…and why?
What do the things we share say about us?
What do the things we share say about God?

Our Lord Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried.
He rose again and ascended to the right hand of the Father.
The disciples were told to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the gift the Father promised.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language…we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues.
(Acts 2:1-6,11)

Immediately, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, began preaching and teaching about Jesus.
Miraculous healing was being done in Jesus’ name.
The disciples were ordinary, unschooled men.
The people were astonished when they saw the courage of Peter and John.
They attributed the change they saw to the fact that these men had been with Jesus.

They (officials) were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. But many who heard the message believed and the number of men grew to about five thousand. (Acts 4:2-4)

After Pentecost, the small group of believers grew quickly to three thousand.
Soon, the believers numbered five thousand.
The message of Jesus was going viral!

Going viral inevitably makes someone uncomfortable.

“What are we going to do with these men?” they asked. “Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name. Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.  (Acts 4:16-20)

The message of Jesus is STILL going viral!

We, who are in Christ…who are filled with the Holy Spirit…must use the tools at hand.
We must redeem them.
We must use them productively.
We must go viral with the Good News.
…in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.