Acts 5:33-42
When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
In the late 1960s Andy Warhol famously said: “In the future, everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.” Someone recently observed – in regard to that idea – “Who would have ever thought, more than 50 years later, the idea would be absurd… since no one has the attention span to focus on anything for 15 minutes?!” I’ll one up that comment: With 7 billion people inhabiting the world, there are many unknown folks who will never be noticed, never have even 15 seconds of fame.
Gamaliel, Pontius Pilate, Nicodemos, Caiaphas, Caesar Augustus, Herod, and King Agrippa each had their moments. They even intersect Jesus’ life and ministry. But each of some of these men are foils for the larger story of Jesus. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Salome had their moments of. We could make a long list of other people throughout history who had their moments of fame and glory.
But only one is the focus of all of history. Only one has split the calendar into BC and AD. Only one died for the sins of the world and rose again for our justification. Jesus is that one. He is the Messiah. He is the only one worthy of our worship. He is the only one we must remember in the end.
I like to say that I know 12 people. It’s obviously an overstatement. But I don’t keep up with many actors, musicians, celebrities, or sports figures. The other day I had to ask Diane about an actor, “It’s Matt Damon,” she reminded me. I can learn the name of a new person and forget it 15 seconds later. But I’ll not forget Jesus. He is eternally famous, and outshines every other star of the universe. No one else holds a candle to him.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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