Against the Grain

Sometime in 2024
By B312

As I browsed YouTube searching for music, I stumbled upon a video featuring Alan Ritchson, the actor who plays Reacher on television. His portrayal of a strong, intelligent, and morally upright hero has made him a role model for many young men. But what caught my attention wasn’t his acting—it was his openness about prayer and faith. In an industry like Hollywood, where Christianity is often downplayed or even ridiculed, his boldness in speaking about God was striking. It takes courage to go against the grain, and the world needs more men like him. In acknowledging this, I found myself personally challenged and dared to examine my own willingness to stand firm in faith.

A Lesson from the Gospel of Mark

Returning to my Bible reading, I resumed at Mark 14:51-52 and continued to Mark 15:15. It reads:

“A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.” (Mark 14:51-52, NIV)

This passage is often overlooked, but it is worth considering. Was this an actual event, or could it be a literary device representing the reaction of Jesus’ followers? Some scholars believe it could even be a veiled reference to the author, Mark, and his own moment of fear. Regardless of its specifics, this passage prompts reflection: How often do we shrink away from our identity as Christians when faced with opposition or discomfort?

Later in Mark 15:10, we see another revealing moment:

“For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him out of envy.”

Pontius Pilate recognized Jesus’ innocence. He saw through the motives of the religious leaders, understanding that their accusations stemmed from jealousy and fear of losing power. Yet, in Mark 15:14-15, we see Pilate ultimately yielding to the demands of the crowd:

“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, ‘Crucify him!’ Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified.” (Mark 15:14-15, NIV)

Here, two sobering truths emerge:

1. Leaders often prioritize public opinion over justice and morality.

2. Crowds are easily swayed, even when their decisions defy reason.

This creates a dangerous cycle—one where people enable and empower their leaders, only to be manipulated by them in return. It’s a cautionary tale of how individuals can be pressured into silence or conformity, even against their own convictions.

The Struggle Between Free Will and Conformity

God has given us both a heart and a mind, granting us free will—the ability to discern right from wrong and act accordingly. Yet how often do we suppress our convictions for the sake of blending in? How often do we silence our free will just to avoid conflict or discomfort? Knowing that some of the very people who called for Christ’s crucifixion had once followed Him, we must ask ourselves: Are we willing to stand firm in our beliefs, or do we let public pressure dictate our actions?

As Mark Twain astutely observed:

“Public opinion is held in reverence. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God.”

Similarly, John Stuart Mill warned:

“Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.”

And Edmund Burke famously stated:

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

These words ring especially true today, where silence in the face of injustice is often mistaken for neutrality. As Alan Ritchson pointed out in his video, just as we expect God to intervene in times of trouble, we too must take action. We cannot blame God for inaction when He has placed us in positions to act on His behalf.

A Call to Courage

Faith is not just about belief—it’s about standing firm, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular. Whether in Hollywood, politics, or everyday life, going against the grain takes courage. But it is through these moments of boldness that we truly live out our faith.

So the question remains: When the time comes to stand for what is right, will we follow the crowd, or will we follow Christ?

A Reflection on Faith and Identity

With all of today’s chaos surrounding woke culture, I am reminded of a time in my childhood when faith was proudly declared. When I was in preschool, after singing the national anthem, we would recite the pledge of allegiance to the Christian flag. It went like this:

“I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen, and coming again, with life and liberty for all who believe.”

This simple yet powerful declaration affirmed our faith daily. It was a reminder that our allegiance is ultimately to Christ, not to fleeting social trends or popular opinions. In a world that often pressures believers to remain silent, may we remember this pledge—not just as words from childhood, but as a call to live boldly as Christians.

Here’s the link to the video if you want to check it out.