Help! I Need Somebody

On this date in 1966, John Lennon of the Beatles was famously quoted as saying that “the Beatles were more popular than Jesus”, which resulted in an outrage in America, especially among evangelicals. The exact quote in an interview with reporter Maureen Cleave appeared in the London Evening Standard:

“Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue with that; I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first – rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.”

Lennon was certainly no expert in Christianity. He was a confused and insecure individual. As Christians, we should expect that non-Christians are going to say things that we don’t like, but Lennon wasn’t entirely wrong on some of what he said. Among millenials, church attendance is down and interest in the Bible in this age bracket is at an all-time low. There is some truth in the fact that, at the time the Beatles, their popularity possibly did exceed that of Jesus Christ. Christians throughout history have had a way of hiding Jesus instead of making Him known and at the same time people are fascinated with celebrity and fame.

Lennon was under the delusion that Christianity would vanish. It is reminiscent of Voltaire (1694-1778) who once stated that in one hundred years from his time Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. But what has happened? Voltaire and John Lennon have both passed into history, while Jesus Christ and His church keep marching on. Will Christianity outlast Rock and Roll? A quick survey of the rock star obituary list indicates that maybe Rock and Roll isn’t as permanent as Lennon imagined. Since making his famous controversial statement, half of the Beatles have died. The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis has died. Freddie Mercury of Queen is dead. Glenn Frey, co-ounder of the Eagles is dead. Tom Petty is dead. Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Prince… all dead. Sure we still hear their songs on the radio, but their influence is rather limited now that they are gone. The brand of Rock and Roll we listened to in the Seventies could be going the way of hulahoops and lava lamps as it’s icons continue to pass on.

The heart of man is restless. It will remain that way until it finds that in which it has confidence to rest. By his own admission, John Lennon was unhappy and insecure. He was very vocal in matters of ‘peace’, but yet he experienced no peace in his life. He was a failure at many relationships, lashing out toward members of his own family in emotionally and physically abusive ways.

His internal maladies were not unlike the rest of the human race though. He was the poster child for the emptiess that characterizes the soul that tries to find meaning and purpose apart from our Creator. Materialism didn’t satisfy. Relationships didn’t satisfy. Drugs didn’t satisfy. John Lennon was searching for answers. He quite literally cried out for help when he wrote the song ‘Help!’.

Help, I need somebody. Help.
Not just anybody. Help.
You know I need someone… Help!

Lennon had stated that there were only two songs he had written that really meant a lot to him. One of them was Strawberry Fields and the other was Help!. It was because these songs were very personal to him. When he wrote Help!, he was indeed really crying for help.

It is tragic that the help he was looking for was not readily recognized. Jesus, the very person that he elevated himself over, is more than capable of providing the help and satisfaction that people are desperately searching for. The book of Hebrews says that we are to boldly approach the “throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrew 4:16). The Lord is ready to help if we’re able to see and accept His offer.

John Lennon was murdered on a sidewalk in New York City in 1980. It is unknown whether he found the real help he was seeking before he entered into eternity, but it is not too late for us.

Seek the Lord while He may be found.
Call upon Him while He is near.