In the mood of celebration, the cheers for President Obama, and for his startlingly direct challenge to other world leaders, showed that Mandela's work is not yet finished.
And the boos for Jacob Zuma showed that the people of South Africa want more of Mandela, and less of old style corruption and tyranny.
If the crowd could choose, they would have said, 'More Mandela, please!'
And what about the crowds around Jesus? In Advent, it is good that we recall how Jesus was viewed by people in his day.
At the end of his Galilean ministry, Jesus comes to Jerusalem. 'Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was in the centre of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David!
Praise God in highest heaven!”
So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple.' (Mark 11.8-11)
But as we know, the mood changed later in the week. 'Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?”
They shouted back, “Crucify him!”
“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?”
But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”
So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.' (Mark 15.12-15)
These stories remind me that in following Jesus, we do not go with the crowd, especially when they cheer their support. Learning to be consistent, whether or not it makes us popular, was a lesson that Nelson Mandela learned.
Following that example is demanding, and yet ultimately rewarding.
Best wishes,
Richard
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