Few vs Many
—Dr. Ron Williams
A remnant, by definition, is a small, tiny minority of a greater whole.
Whereas the world of today puts a high priority on “popularity”, our Lord, by contrast, values the neglected/despised remnant. Scripture warns about the siren call of popularity. Exodus 23:2 reminds, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil…” When Pontius Pilate saw the multitude of rabid Christ haters, and especially when he heard shouts from the crowd that if he spared Christ’s life, he was “not a friend of Caesar”, he capitulated to majority opinion and condemned our Lord to satisfy the crowd. “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it” (Matthew 27: 24).
The early Christians were considered the “offscouring” of the world and were “tolerated” or persecuted, depending on the Roman emperor in power and the attitude of their contemporaries. My believing friend, do not fear what the crowd thinks of you! Fear what our Lord thinks! That behavior put us in a distinct remnant/minority.