JIMMY FALLON, U2, NYC SUBWAY, & THE GOSPEL
Recently, Jimmy Fallon had a segment (link at the end of this article) on his show that involved him taking U2 into the 42nd Street subway platform directly beneath Grand Central Station. Rather than publicizing it in advance, or even just having them show up unannounced, Fallon and the guys in U2 disguised themselves, appearing simply as another group of street performers covering other people’s music. Fallon was their frontman, trying to gin up interest in the guys.
As is the case with so many street performers, people just kept on going, paying very little attention to the guys as they performed one of their biggest hits – ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.’
Well, after a minute or so of this, the inevitable happens. When it does, we see that Fallon and U2 not only provide a truly awesome experience for those who just happened to be there, but also illustrate one of Jesus’ most vital teachings.
How’s that?
In Matthew 25, as part of a longer discourse, Jesus says:
Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’
When Fallon and the guys of U2 shed their disguises, the people in the subway were awestruck, and crowds formed. Why? Because they recognized Bono and the boys for being as they were expected. In the first minute or so of the video, it was the same group – just in disguise.
As you go through this Monday and the rest of this week, let’s be vigilant about looking for Christ EVERYWHERE, not just in those places and people where we would expect to encounter Christ. Why? Let’s go to the next verse…
And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Where, indeed, do we see Christ? More importantly, where, indeed, are we looking for and expecting Christ’s presence?
Grace and Peace, Lamar