The X Factor is a television talent show which started in Australia in 2005 and originated in the United Kingdom. The "X Factor" used as the title of the show refers to the non specific "something" that makes a singer one of star quality. From hideous auditions, to "goose bump" performances, the judges' wrong song choices to the faulty wardrobes, the backstage dramas to shocking eliminations, the X Factor has everything that makes a reality show appealing. The show premiered with 1.32 million viewers in its last series.
So what is Australia's fascination with the X Factor? It must be a combination of seeing everyday people given a chance to live out their dreams, good musical performances and being able to see the finalists grow and change throughout the series. We develop a relationship with the finalists as we watch them every week. There is a deep sense of emphatic elation when they deliver a good performance but also a hollow disappointment when they deliver a bad one.
The X Factor resonates with our experience of life. We too are constantly facing our own elimination performances, good weeks and bad weeks. We too are trying to win the approval of the judges in our lives and win the acceptance of those around us. We live to stay out of elimination.
Deeper still, the X Factor appeals to our innate sense to prove to those around us that we have what it takes to succeed. It appeals to our deep fear of rejection by others. We want to prove to them that we have the "X Factor". To this end, we pour efforts into our performances, into our lives.
But there is a problem. Just like the finalists' performances every week, we cannot deliver our best performances every time. We feel rejected at our failures and disappointments. One minute we seem to have the approval and praise of those around us, and just as quickly we can lose it all, falling to the bottom and awaiting elimination. We fear that even if we give all that we have, it will still not be good enough.
In fact, the Bible tells us that, with God as the ultimate judge of humanity, no one will escape elimination. We may think that just because we have the X Factor, or that we have achieved much in this life or have been good people, we can escape God's elimination. But the truth is, the Bible tells us that,
"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Romans 3:10-12
And because of this we all will face elimination before God the judge. We will be voted off, we will be rejected, we will all be eliminated.
The only person that did not deserve to be eliminated is Jesus who not only lived a perfect life, had the ultimate "X Factor", but also choose to be eliminated in our place. On the cross, Jesus was judged, rejected and eliminated by God. He took on all our bad performances and was eliminated for them. And in exchange we can enjoy the fruit of his perfect performance. Jesus has already satisfied the judge so that we can live our lives free from the fear of elimination and rejection.
So next time you watch the X Factor, remember that life is a performance that will be judged on the last day. But also remember the one who had the ultimate "X Factor" but was eliminated so that we can receive the prize of eternal life.