Is it a problem when I’m popular (not that I am in any peril of becoming popular but hypothetically speaking, were I to become popular, would that be bad)? According to Jesus, popularity causes woe. Woe is not good so popularity should be avoided.

(Luke 6:26) Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

“John, you arrogant jerk!! Don’t you dare use the words of our Lord to justify being an obnoxious, arrogant, loud-mouthed jerk!!! You jerk!!!!”

Jesus wasn’t talking to obnoxious, arrogant, loud-mouthed jerks like me. He was talking to sweet, well-spoken, likeable false prophets. He was warning influential liars to be wary of their popularity.

Something is wrong when people who hate God love you. The only way to be more popular than Jesus is to be different from Jesus in some significant way. I mean, the guy who said, “Woe to you when men speak well of you,” was nailed to a cross! I can’t think of a lower position on the public opinion poll than, ‘Crucify Him!’

Here’s where you’ll say, “John, you jerk! Jesus was popular with the poor, crippled, downtrodden and oppressed people!!! The sinners LOVED him!!! He set captives free!!”

I need to point out that now you’re not arguing with me. You’re telling Jesus that he’s mistaken. “No! No! No, Jesus! Don’t talk like that! Lots of people love you! You’re hugely popular!” Correcting the theology of Jesus seems risky to me but you’re free to make your own decisions.

Jesus didn’t say, “Woe to you when SOME men speak well of you.” Your fellow Christians should think you’re a decent person. Brothers and sisters in the church should think so highly of you that they’ll scold you for veering toward the god of popularity.

Because he loves us, Jesus warned us about seeking the approval of other people. The Bible repeatedly assures us that humans are not to be trusted. People like darkness, sin, and evil. When lots and lots and lots of people like you, it means you’re giving them what they like.

That’s a problem.