Caravans and premature campaign sorties are dominating public life nowadays. One crowd is more crowded than the other, some courtesy of Photoshop while others (actually, the same camp) by blocking all lanes making those trapped look as if they’re there for political support.

Pictures of the sea of political colors can encourage a kakampi or bring apprehension if not. But people forget that caravan attendance does not necessarily equate to a sure vote. Some are probably just there because their family and friends dragged them while others are after the gas vouchers, money, souvenir items, and a selfie. In short, they’re there for what they can get out of it. They can be pink but vote blue IF they’re even registered in the first place.

Observing the circus reminds me how multitudes followed Jesus (Mark 5:24, John 6:2), rattling the religious leaders of the day (Mt. 27:18) but in the end, they were the same ones who screamed for an EJK on Jesus (Luke 23:21) as they only followed for “The Ayuda and the Miracles Show.”

But before we cast an accusing finger on them, we need to have a dialogue with the three fingers pointing back at us. Why are we following Jesus? During pre-pandemic, it can be the same reason the multitudes in His time had---the free food. And during the current pandemic, it could also be the same reason as the multitudes’---the miracles. Who doesn’t need or want one badly right now financially and health-wise? So the big question for us who claim to follow Jesus is---will we still be following Him when the pandemic becomes a thing of the past?