Are You a Fair-Weather _____________?

There are numerous nouns you could use to fill in the blank found in the title of this article. One of the most common would be the word FAN. One definition of a fair-weather fan is

a sports supporter who only cheers for a team when they

are successful, winning, or popular, but loses interest

or stops following them during losing streaks or hard times.

It would be very easy to list examples of teams that had a strong fan base after a great season only to see it dwindle after a horrific losing season. In the 1980s a trend was begun when fans of the New Orleans Saints football team (NFL) started wearing paper sacks over their heads if they attended a game at all, and started calling the Saints, the Aints, during a disastrous 1-15 season. You may have your own examples of fair-weather fans.

Another way to complete the title above would be the word FRIEND. A definition of a fair-weather friend is

a person who is supportive, friendly, and present only when things

are going well or when it is easy for them, but abandons you during

times of hardship, trouble, or inconvenience.

This often plays out during times of terminal illnesses, the loss of a job, or a divorce. While a fair-weather friend may abandon another for other reasons, these are some of the ones that seem to appear more frequently. This actually can start as early as Middle School where friendships are built on popularity and abandoned when the popularity switches to another group.

All of us probably had these first two answers of FAN and FRIEND, but would we be willing to consider a more painful answer - a fair-weather FOLLOWER OF CHRIST. As I write this article on Sunday evening, it is the last few hours of the day we have labeled as Palm Sunday. In Matthew 21, we have the account of what is referred to as Jesus' Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem. Jesus had sent two of his disciples to go into the village and bring back a donkey and her colt. The disciples did this as He had instructed. Then in Matthew 21:7-9 we have the account of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

"They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks,

and Jesus sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road,

and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were

shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the

name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'

During the week following, Jesus did many things which caused the religious leaders to plot Jesus' death and enlist Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples to betray Jesus into their hands for some money. After a meal with His disciples, Jesus led them out to the Garden of Gethsemane for a time of prayer. It was there that some soldiers and some officers from the chief priest and the Pharisees came to arrest Jesus. Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priests servant. Peter was a dedicated follower of Jesus ready to fight to protect Jesus from the mob.

We know from the Bible that Jesus went with the mob to go through a series of bogus trials. Finally, the time of sentencing came and the crowds who had once welcomed Jesus with shouts of Hosanna and laying down palm branches now shouted "Crucify Him." By this time the ready-to-fight Peter had backed away and denied even knowing Jesus or being one of His disciples three times. When the crucifixion of Jesus took place, only one of His trusted 12 disciples were present and that was John, the youngest of the 12 who stood beside Jesus' mother. Even the closest followers of Jesus who had witnessed all of the miracles and healings and had heard all of His teachings had become fair-weather followers of Christ.

In one week we will celebrate Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus. There is no doubt that we will sing with joy and give thanks for all that Christ has done for us through His crucifixion and resurrection. We have the offer of eternal forgiveness and eternal hope in heaven when we place our faith in Christ alone. And without a doubt, we are blessed because of His willingness to pay the price for our redemption. Next Sunday, we will be fully-on-board followers of Christ.

But we live in broken world. Christians are starting to be persecuted around our planet for the faith they hold and the Biblical teachings they proclaim. Some are being tortured and some even put to death for simply being a follower of Christ. In these days, when the celebration music becomes quiet and the pressure of persecution increases, who will we be then? How will we answer the question then - Are You a Fair-Weather Follower of Christ?

May we all stand firm and hold to Him regardless of the pressures to turn away and deny Him. He is Jesus. He is the Son of God. He is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. Always hold on to Him. He is always holding on to us.