The crowd cheered enthusiastically when Jesus came riding on a colt into Jerusalem.  They waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna, in the highest” saluting Christ as their king; it was the peak of His popularity.  However, just a few days later, this very crowd was shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

     Popularity is a dangerous thing.  Some people who love and adore you in one breath, will curse and condemn you in the next.  Christ’s popularity varied.  At times, multitudes would follow Him into the most barren of deserts just to hear His words, and then at others times, He would have masses leave because of His teachings.  He did not base His doctrine on the opinion polls of man, and neither should we.

     There is a tendency in this culture to please and appease everyone. Whether we admit it or not, we liked to be liked, we loved to be loved.  But if our motivation for ministry is the applause of the audience we are offending the most important person –our Lord.

     We must stand for truth.  Truth, regardless of its acceptance.  Truth, regardless of its likeability.  Truth, regardless of it popularity.  Popularity comes and goes with the crowd, but truth abides forever.