Jesus was never impressed with large crowds.  Most of the people who followed Him in the early part of His ministry did so because they received something of the Lord (bread and fish, healing, words of life). As a matter of fact, whenever Jesus looked upon the multitudes He saw them as lost, aimless sheep.  .

     However, the crowds started thinning out when the Lord demanded commitment and faithfulness.  When Jesus said, “Let the dead bury the dead” and “No man, putting his hand to the plow, looking back, is fit for the kingdom” some started questioning Him.  When He said, “Drink my blood and eat my flesh” many turned away and said, “This is a hard saying.”  When Jesus declared, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath no place to lay his head” still others went home.  You see, at that point, it was no longer about what they received from Christ; it was about what they had to give up for Christ.

     Pop-culture Christianity is looking to fill the stadiums, and pack the pews, but Jesus is not looking for a crowd, He is looking for commitment.  It is easy to follow Christ when nothing is required and the blessings flow from above.  But there comes a time when His true disciples follow Him simply because of Who He is.