Chasing CarrotsНамуна

Chasing Fame

The Greek word for fame—phēmē, pronounced fā'-mā—is used only twice in the New Testament. It’s often defined as speech, report, or news. Here’s how phēmē is used in Luke 4:14 KJV:

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

Where was Jesus returning from that caused a fame of Him to spread through the region? Let’s get context. In Luke 1, we hear about Jesus’ coming birth. In Luke 2, He’s born and grows into a boy. In Luke 3, He’s baptized. Finally, in the first several verses of Luke 4, Jesus is fasting and being tested in the desert by Satan. This brings us back to Luke 4:14. 

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. Luke 4:14 NLT 

In today’s reading, you’ll take in the whole story of Jesus’ test in the desert. Jesus was fasting in the desert for 40 days and in the middle of it, Satan himself tempted Jesus with the wrong kind of food (Luke 4:3-4), fame (Luke 4:5-8), and faith (Luke 4:9-12). Each time, Jesus rejected the temptation and responded with God’s Word.

Luke 4:14 fame is not always the kind we chase, is it? We tend to go after the kind Satan offers Jesus in the desert. Supply without satisfaction (Luke 4:3-4), splendor without sacrifice (Luke 4:5-8), and salvation without surrender (Luke 4:9-12). 

Think about recognition at work, social media likes, and praise from others. It feels good for a moment, and then you instantly crave more. If we’re honest, we’ve all likely experienced times when we wanted to be noticed or well-known for something. Similarly, Satan offers Jesus money, influence, and power. Jesus was tempted just like us, but He didn’t take the bait. 

We’ll also read about Satan’s final temptation to Jesus—asking Him to jump off a building so God would have to catch Him. Have you ever tried to pray a prayer that forces God to do things your way, in your timing? It’s not very honoring to God—which is why Jesus responds by saying we shouldn’t test God like that. 

There’s a reconstructed language called PIE—Proto-Indo-European—the unwritten ancestor to Greek. The PIE root-word that became phēmē, is -bha, which means “to shine” and “to speak.” So let’s go back to our roots. We’re not made to be the Light—that’s Jesus—but we are called to shine His light. We are not the Word—the Gospel of John says that’s also Jesus—but we are called to speak His Word to all the world.

Chasing fame is going after something that belongs to God instead of going after God Himself. That’s the oldest temptation in the book. Don’t fall for it. Next time you face the temptation of fame, do what Jesus did. Shine God’s light by speaking His words. And when you do, Luke 4:14 happens. His fame gets spread around.

Pray: God, how is trying to be liked keeping me from shining your light? I want to go after You with everything in me. Amen.