In 2009, on the third season of the hit show “Britain’s Got Talent,” a female singer by the name of Susan Boyle walked out on the stage before a packed house, a massive television audience, and three celebrity judges. As she ambled onto the stage, people watching from home and in the studio were bracing for the worst. Their expectations were visualized on the faces of the three judges: Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan, and Amanda Holden who could barely keep a doubting snicker off their faces.
In a contest designed to evaluate talent, why were people so skeptical before she ever sang a note? Well, Ms. Boyle did not LOOK the part. She was older (47 years old). She had no record of success (she was unemployed.) She was from a village (not a city). And she looked like a normal person (not a movie star). The moments before she began to sing felt like a close race between “let’s just get this audition over with” and “I hope she doesn’t embarrass herself.”
Then she began to sing.
The song she had chosen was “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables,” a difficult song to be sure! But this dream was no nightmare. She dazzled her way through the presentation. By the end of verse 1, the audience was giving her a standing ovation. By the end of the performance, the judges had joined them. And before Simon could give his evaluation, there were tears in the eyes of people watching from home. It was magical.
What had just happened? People had an idea of what they THOUGHT a “Britain’s Got Talent” winner would LOOK like, and Susan Boyle did not LOOK the part … but oh did she deliver! She would parlay that song into an album that is in the top 40 of album sales in the 21st century. She has gone on to sell over 25 million records in the past 17 years. And she became the first female artist EVER to have two different albums atop the US and UK record charts in the same year. Susan Boyle is exceptionally talented and Britain (and the world) have been blessed to listen.
Why do I say all this? Hang with me for a moment.
What do you think it looks like to be the winner of “America’s Got Religion” (if such a show existed)? What would be the demeanor of such a person? What would they LOOK like? How would they act to make you assume they should win the prize?
In the first century, there were common activities among the religious “elite,” and one of them was that they would often fast. The Pharisees would fast two days a week (skipping day time meals, similar to Muslims today during Ramadan). The entire nation of Israel would fast during daylight hours on the Day of Atonement, and many would also fast on days remembering the destruction of Jerusalem a few hundred years before. Accompanying these times of fasting would be sullen looks and sometimes loud complaints. After all, what could be the point of going to all that religious activity if their neighbors did not recognize their religious greatness?
Jesus launched His public ministry into this world of religious activity, and some of the “judges” began to snicker. He did not LOOK the part (in their eyes). After all, He and His followers did not fast. In fact, they ate and drank with tax collectors! How could He possibly be the epitome of the old religion if He looked happy and did not walk around telling you about how much He DIDN’T eat?
The expectations of Simon Cowell blinded him to Ms. Boyle’s talent, and the self-righteousness of the Pharisees kept them from seeing the overwhelming godliness of Jesus Christ. He had authority over demons, disease, and sin. In many ways, Jesus did not look like the epitome of the old religion because He was the founder of a new one. To be clear, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Law in all of its brilliance, but He did not come to just put a band aid over the broken excesses of the Pharisees. No, Jesus came to offer something new, and the world that listens to His Song will always be blessed.
This Sunday, May 17, at Wildwood Community Church in our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00 worship services, we will look at Luke 5:33-39 in part 6 of our “Launch Day” sermon series. In these verses we see Jesus answering the question, “why don’t You and Yours not fast?” His answer goes way beyond food. Let’s read and explore it on Sunday together. Hope to see you there … and bring friends!
