And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:5 KJV

Jesus’ birth and death was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah over 700 years and the prophet Micah 400 years before it actually happened!

I believe Jesus’ generation and the ones before him were not “a wait on it and see more generation”. That’s why they needed prophets for their time to help them with their issues. Almost kind of like our generation is “the make it happen now” group. We praise those that are well liked and popular. We imitate those with many followers with hopes we will one day be like them. We admire those with influence and prestige and want to know what a day in their life looks like so we subscribe to their channel. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s only when it becomes a place of counting score and comparing are we zapped back into high school and care what the “popular crowd” says about us.

We all know Jesus was born in a manger even though he was the King of All Kings. His first residence was with the farm animals, how can anybody follow that?

Jesus’ life and ministry wasn’t glamorous. He wasn’t followed by people of worldly importance nor people held in great esteem but by tax collectors, prostitutes, shepherds, foreigners, non Jews, fornicators, adulterers, unknowns, the sick, the destitute and fishermen. Why would God Almighty choose such a unpopular crowd to hang with?

Jesus didn’t choose what was trending in his day over his assignment from God. He didn’t have time to float around with the Pharisees and Sadducees tooting his nose up with pompous airs about his knowledge and advanced spirituality. He didn't waste time praying extravagant prayers to be seen by the public and church. He didn’t desire the likes of powerful men. He stood face to face with the devil and told him to flee when offered all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus #goals wasn’t to rule the world; it was to save it from itself.

Because he doesn’t look at materials that fade away. God looks at the heart, the soul, the character of a man or woman. The forgiveness they have for another, the compassion they show, the sincerity that shines through and the passion to see more with their spiritual eyes than they could ever see with their natural ones. His goal was to be the Master Teacher of parables so others can grow into the spiritual giants they were meant to be. Those with hunger were the ones he taught and trained, the ones that were seeking the kingdom of God Matt. 6:33.

Because He knew those he trained would be willing to sacrifice their lives to spread the light of the gospel, to get dirty in the trenches, to be relentless even when rejected and looked over, to teach and reach when their own disciples don’t get it the 1st, 2nd or 3rd time, even when those very disciples fall away or even betray him which is not such a popular thing but he didn’t come to be popular.

Will you choose popularity over Jesus? He didn’t choose popularity over you.

So let your light shine even if that's not what everyone is doing. Be unafraid to stand alone. Our Messiah did it. You can too. Know that your father in heaven sees you and rewards you with His grace and favor!