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Being Noticed

By Toby Janicki | Comments (3) | Posted on September 23, 2008

I read a quote from Bob Dylan the other day that caused me to stop and think:

Being noticed can be a burden. Jesus got himself crucified because he got himself noticed. So I disappear a lot.

After reading this I chuckled to myself at both the irony and the truth in what Dylan was saying. While to me this it is an over simplification of the reason for the Master being killed there did seem to be an element in this quote that rings of truth.

How many times do we read of the Messiah Yeshua trying to escape away to be alone with either just his twelve disciples or completely by himself? Before the feeding of the 5,000 we read of but one example:

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. (Matthew 14:13)

Rather than turning his back on the people the Master proceeds to both teach and feed the crowd. If he wasn't so popular and accessible he probably would have never gotten in so much trouble with the Temple authorities and the Romans.

There are certainly time in our lives where we can concur with what Dylan said and we just need to get away and be alone but on the flip side as disciples of the Master we are called to shine the light of HaShem to those around us. The simple point being, if we are not seen as being different from the world, then we are not doing our jobs. Seclusion and isolation are not optional. While we are not called to be obnoxious witnesses of the Gospel, we do need to spread the Word.

During this season of Elul we should all take a moment to examine our lives and see if we truly are making an impact on those around us or if we are just blending in as one of the pact. Today make an attempt to get noticed.

About the Author: Toby Janicki is a teacher, writer and speaker for FFOZ. He is also a writer for messiah magazine and the author of the Restoration Workbook and a new book on the Mezuzah.

Visitor Comments

You know this is an interesting and thought provoking quote. There are times when it's so much easier to just withdraw from the world and the church and just be alone. But, what good does a lamp (or candle) do if it's hidden under a basket. If it stays there too long, the lamp will burn out for a lack of oxygen and there is no more light. To burn brightly, the lamp needs oxygen and thereby the basket must me removed. I am so thankful to the Master that he stayed in the open where He could be seen. We called to be a salt and light. We are also called to be different from the world - to be set apart. If what we do in public doesn't reveal how we are G-d's people and seperate, then I think we need to stop and consider how we actually live our lives.

Posted by: David V | September 25, 2008 11:13 AM

It is a sad commentary that it takes very little to stand out in today's society. That is why I like the quote: If not you, who and if not now, when?

Posted by: Jeff | October 4, 2008 1:47 AM

This has been something I've thought a lot about recently: being separate from the world...being seen as different. Should I or shouldn't I?

This past week, I made the decision to become more observant. For a long time, I've wanted to start wearing a headcovering. But I work in a public school where hats and scarves aren't allowed. So, I bought small (4 inch) ladies crocheted kippahs to wear. I took one with me to school and showed it to the principal. I asked if I might be allowed to wear it for "religious reasons." To my amazement, the principal told me that I could...that she would not hinder my religious convictions! I joyfully thanked her and G-d. Because I honored the principal's authority, G-d turned her heart to accept my petiton.

I've had many children ask me about my "little hat." The adults have taken a second look but haven't asked any questions. Being in a public school, I don't "preach" to anyone. But if I'm asked, I can, at least, get people thinking!

Posted by: Rhonda | October 4, 2008 8:48 PM

Clear, black and white, easy-to-follow logic! Boundary Stones presents a compelling and positive case for the Torah to return as life's guidebook for every disciple of the Messiah.

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