Flash Mobs and Rock Concerts

Flash Mobs and Rock Concerts

Luke 19: 37-40

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:  “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”  Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

I am not a social scientist by any stretch, but I am a student of gathered worship and have tried in recent years to help Christian worshippers rediscover the purpose and meaning of what is commonly called the Sunday morning worship service.

In recent years, a new social phenomenon has emerged dubbed the “flash mob”. Nearly everyone has experienced a flash mob, either live or by video. Some of you may have actually participated in one. Webster's New Millennium Dictionary of English defines flash mob as "a group of people who organize and then assemble in a public place, do something bizarre, and disperse”. The bizarre activity varies from acting, dancing, singing or coordinated demonstration that initially appears spontaneous. It is, in fact, a well rehearsed and choreographed few moments that gradually grow from one or two participants to sometimes hundreds of people in a unified message. I have seen flash mobs that carried patriotic or religious themes, as well as simple celebrations of joy.

I believe flash mobs have an unusual element of social magnetism. They draw us into the experience as a concert or theatrical presentation but uniquely take us by surprise because they occur outside the concert hall or theater. For a few moments we experience our world the way we wish it was; a place where we all know the words and have the audacity to share them out loud (a bizarre thought, indeed).  

Those that followed Jesus into Jerusalem before his crucifixion may have appeared as one of our 21^st century flash mobs. Their declarations and praise were absurd and defiant given their political circumstance. They had little reason for joy while living under Roman rule. Yet they broke out in spontaneous chants of praise. It is also important to note that this group experience was not rehearsed. Their uninhibited joy was born out of inner hope for their future. They erupted in a unified, spontaneous response to a long anticipated event; a new day was here and their king was here to bring it! Had they stopped, the first “rock concert” would have begun.

When we worship together, unity can break out if we are individually audacious in our demonstration of joy, lament, hope or thanksgiving. This Sunday, respond to our Saviour as He brings a new day of reconciliation with God. Don’t defer to the rocks!  

the friar