Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus"

What does a performance of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" have in common
with a kitten playing a piano or a child biting the finger of his
brother?  If you've watched at least a few YouTube videos, you
probably know the answer: Each of the above are examples of videos
that have gone viral.

"Viral" comes from the physical phenomenon we all dread.  There are
over 2,000 species of viruses that have been discovered, and many
(such as the rhinovirus) commonly infect the human body.  Once inside,
they can multiply at an extraordinary rate and cause serious symptoms.
Many who will read this have already received a flu vaccine, hoping to
fight off at least one strain of virus this fall.

Then there are the computer viruses.  You can't infect your computer
by sneezing on it; these are man-made mini-programs that will make
your computer "sick".  You catch these through seemingly innocent
emails and web sites.  Companies that help protect our laptops and
desktops from viruses make billions of dollars each year.

The videos mentioned above, however, are things people enjoy watching.
The performance of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" at a Philadelphia
Macy's store just over a month ago has already been watched over 5.5
million times.  That event was a planned (though seemingly
spontaneous) performance.  Many others of the viral videos were more
accidental.  Someone happened to take a video of an otherwise ordinary
event, uploaded the video, and the rest is history.

There was another viral event that occurred hundreds of years ago, and
the effects were predominantly beneficial.  It all started with Jesus ...

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," Jesus
commanded His apostles before leaving the earth (Mark 16:16).  The
message was new, but it was good news (the literal meaning of the word
"gospel").  When people heard the message of salvation, many "gladly
received" it (Acts 2:41) and dedicated themselves to following Jesus
Christ, no matter what.

The viral spread of this message was not without resistance.  Many
chose not to believe Jesus is the Son of God, and worked militantly to
suppress Christianity.  But despite all efforts the word of God
flourished.  When Paul wrote about how the gospel had been "...
preached to every creature under heaven" in Colossians 1:23, he may
have affirmed the fulfillment (in his generation) of the charge Jesus
had given His followers.

How can such a phenomenon be explained?  Those who live for Jesus
quickly learn the truth of His claim: "I have come that they may have
life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).  They
discover that, even in adversity, placing their lives in the hands of
the Almighty God produces a "peace that surpasses all understanding"
(Philippians 4:6).

This is one "virus" you don't need to fear!  In fact, wouldn't it be
wonderful if more of us could become carriers of this virus, infecting
others with the remarkable attitudes and actions produced by the
gospel of Jesus Christ?  After all, which is more deserving of sending
to our friends: a video showing how dance has evolved over time, or a
message that will rescue their souls from destruction?

Timothy D. Hall.