Jesus going viral
by Toyosi Adegunle
“What is going on?” my colleague asked, at about 1 pm on Tuesday. I wasn’t sure what prompted the question, so I asked her why, and she scrolled through social media and JESUS was (is) trending. I checked mine as well, and the same was happening on my platforms.
This was (is) great to see but I needed to know how it started. Here’s how - In the early hours of the day, a Nigerian Pastor, Singer and Songwriter, Nathaniel Bassey had created a challenge and posted a design with ‘JESUS’ boldly written on it. The prompt was to use this picture as a profile picture and post it on all social media platforms from noon (WAT) to make the name of Jesus trend worldwide and in his words “let’s release the fragrance over our land and nation, and the nations of the earth”.
A lot of people jumped on this trend within seconds - the design above was everywhere - WhatsApp status, Instagram posts, stories and profile pictures, it made the Twitter trend list and even billboards before the end of the day. This was and is still really exciting for true believers because people could not only see the trend growing but also feel the power of proclaiming the name of Jesus unanimously which further emphasized the power of unity in the body of Christ. It didn't matter if you attended the same local assembly, what mattered most was making Jesus trend, spreading the name of Jesus across all platforms, and doing so unapologetically.
Jesus is trending
Pastor Nathaniel Bassey is very well known for creating challenges that spur believers to pray, worship and do things that strengthen their faith regardless of what was going on in the country. When I eventually found it he started this trend, I wasn't surprised and I'm sure a lot of people weren't as well because it is as usual a blessing to the body of Christ and a pleasure to even jump on trends like this, but a good number of people thought otherwise, a few of them:
- “Is this the believers’ response to the recent killings in different parts of the country?”
- “It's not a necessary trend because prayer is all that Nigerian Christians suggest and do and it hasn't helped in any way”
- “It would be good or better if the efforts to make Jesus trend were channelled into promoting the need for PVC (permanent voters card)”
- “It is not a good time to trend the name of Jesus in light of recent killings and show-and-tell of bad leadership”.
Every day on the internet and social media platforms, Twitter especially, there are at least 15 items on the trend list about shows, people and things that go on for more than 48 hours and it's never an issue or a problem for anyone but something about this trend brought about several positive and negative reactions which weren't surprising to an extent given that there are existing biases towards Christians and almost all their activities so it doesn't matter what you do or when you do it, there are always negative reactions to proclamations of your faith and belief. The outrage and think pieces weren't necessary, to say the least. A lot of the reactions were unfair, and insulting and also implied a lot of other wrong things about the trendsetter and the trend itself, which again, wasn't surprising.
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV
Believers don't particularly need a reason to make their faith trend, or an occasion to raise the banner so high, pray about situations, worship and proclaim the name of Jesus so much. It would also be unfair to assume that the Church isn't promoting the need for Permanent Voters Card (PVC) alongside prayers and other goodwill acts. A good number of Churches have made it mandatory for their members to get their PVC and have even gone as far as using their local assembly as centres for registration which is highly commendable.
The name of Jesus is a strong tower, it is not just a name, it carries power and might, and gives light, hope, peace and strength each time it is proclaimed and called upon. This is your cue as a believer to do the most - pray the most, spread the gospel the most, spread light and hope the most, promote positivity and need to do the right things, the most. You can do it all at once. No limitations. You can pray and get your PVC. You can spread the gospel of light and also vote for the right candidate when it's time. There's no time and chance to cower at the sight of opposition and negative reactions. It's time to focus on your focus - spreading light, hope, love and joy as much as you can and growing in the unity of fellowship. We are exceptionally grateful to Pastor Nathaniel Bassey for setting trends that strengthen us and for believers who jump on them to make it stronger. Jesus is going on 💡
Hallelujah!!! Thank you JESUS #Jesusisgoingon
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