Variety: Matthew 16v24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

Right now, there are few cultural figures more worthy of our attention than Yungblud.

The rockstar, born Dom Harrison in Doncaster, is on a stratospheric rise. He’s scored hit albums worldwide, his US arena tour sold out in one minute, and he’s an unstoppable social media force. He’s heir to rock royalty, stealing the show at Black Sabbath’s farewell gig and releasing an EP with Aerosmith. And his latest album is unremittingly excellent.

Beyond all that, he’s become a fascinating symbol for our individualist culture. Onstage, in interviews, and with fans, he’s always his boisterous, intense self. His music is searingly confessional and introspective.

And to his fandom, the Black Hearts Club, he’s not just an entertainer, but a messiah.

Yungblud’s stated values are acceptance, inclusion, and self-fulfilment. He describes his fans as a community, helping one another release self-hatred and be who they truly are. He regularly brings them up on stage. Some rip massive guitar solos. Others come out for the first time, to enormous cheers.

And he makes himself available after shows. Like the woman reaching for Jesus’ cloak, his fans are desperate to be near him, as though Yungblud can heal their anxiety by the sheer force of his exuberance. You can watch one fan crying that he saved her life, as he tells her lovingly that she saved her own life, that the answer was always within her.

Yungblud is an avatar for a deep need in humanity: to be loved and accepted without caveat. And if what follows sounds facile, it’s only because it’s so true: Jesus is the ultimate version of what Yungblud’s fans are literally screaming for.

Jesus was counter-culturally compassionate, seeing and sitting with prostitutes, lepers, and outcasts. He was unapologetically himself, refusing to bend to what others thought he should be and do. He healed those he touched. He invited his followers ‘on stage’ to join in his work. He instituted the greatest caring community in the history of humanity. And he did save all our lives.

But where Yungblud’s message ends at self-acceptance, Jesus goes further. Jesus gave up his life for others and taught his followers to do the same (Matthew 16:24). In him we don’t just find who we are now, but who we could become through the Spirit’s work. And in him is the chance to heal not just ourselves, but the world.

Who do you know that needs to see Jesus that way this week?

Josh Hinton