Every year people in America look forward to the Super Bowl. Super Bowl Sunday is one of the few sports events in our country that brings people together like no other sport. The NBA finals, the World Series, and the Masters have never been able to capture the whole nation’s attention like the Super Bowl does. American Football is certainly appreciated by the majority of Americans. And the most interesting fact about it, is that even though someone’s team may not be playing at the Super Bowl, every one around the country stops to watch the game. This year I was drawn to reflect on a few things we can learn from the Super Bowl.
First, here are a few lessons in the way of warning and caution:
The Super Bowl reveals the character of our nation. It reveals that we still have rivalries. Since only two teams compete for the ultimate prize, the majority of the country is left to pick a team they like best. Most pick the underdog. But why do we pick sides? Why do we disdain people, certain players, football teams? What have they ever done to affect us on a personal level? We are only affected by a certain organization to the extend we let them. But why the hate? This is surely, but our hearts are prone to rivalry, to hate, and to anger. We would do better to reflect on whether or not our hearts have turned to anger for things that don’t even have any eternal relevance, like winning the Super Bowl or hating a certain football team. Here’s a couple of verses for your personal reflection: “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.” Romans 8:6-7
The Super Bowl reveals the values of our nation. Every year, Americans tune in to watch the Super Bowl, not so much to watch the game, but to watch Super Bowl commercials. This year so much has been revealed about the values of secular America. For instance, Sabra Hummus had a commercial with two drag queens. The message conveyed is that they are fun, exciting, and should be celebrated. But should they? Microsoft featured the 49ers Offensive Assistant coach, an open lesbian, as a hero. And if you wondered what Pop Tarts have to do with the LGBTQ movement, then all you have to do it watch their Super Bowl commercial featuring Netflix’s Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness.* Romans 1:24-25 was at full display, “Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”
Further, the values of our nation were also revealed at the halftime show. This year J-Lo and Shakira performed. Both displayed blatant sensuality and were surrounded by men who appeared to “worship” them. They also wore very short dresses while dancing in front of the nation provoking men to lust. As they danced they contorted their bodies in very sensual ways. In fact, at one point J-Lo performed movements on a dancing pole like a striper. Has anyone stopped to think about the fact that these women are married? Was anyone bothered, instead of reacting in celebratory ways, that J-Lo’s daughter sang on stage with her mom as she practically tried to seduce the nation’s men on national television? Has anyone realized that these women were practically selling their bodies on national TV? Has anyone realized what was being highlighted was not their musical abilities but rather their sexual innuendos? But is anyone surprised? No! The problem? Such behavior has become common place. Christians also if not careful, without realizing it, perpetuate their fame and agenda. As Christians, we must not forget the words of the apostle John in the book of John 2:16: “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
The Super Bowl also reveals that there’s always a subtle but yet blatant agenda behind everything that takes place front stage in our culture. By the way…why did J-Lo display a large Puerto Rico flag for the whole nation to see? Perhaps a veiled political statement by Lopez at the Super Bowl, since she also had children singing in cages? The performance featured her 11-year-old daughter Emme and included other children singing from illuminated cages. What message was she trying to send us? One thing is for sure, we must be careful to safeguard our minds, not against politics, but against the world and whatever agenda it espouses. Our agenda must be the Gospel! As Paul once reminded us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
Another valuable lesson for us as Christians is that we must not forget the human heart is idolatrous. Some idolize football, some idolize women, some idol size fame, some idolize athleticism, and some idolize sensuality. Such idols were front stage this past weekend. But we are called to kill any idolatrous desire in our hearts. We just eliminate it from our lives, savagely killing all desire contrary to loving God. We just also show the world that their idols are fake. We must show them that idols are fickle, weak, and shallow. Christ is the answer. He alone is real and able to truly fulfill the desires of our longing hearts. The second commandment is still relevant to us, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
Second, here are a few positive lessons from the Super Bowl:
The Super Bowl draws people together. Each year I attend a Super Bowl party to fellowship with friends. Some of us use the occasion to spend time with family, friends, and co-workers. The expectation for Super Bowl Sunday is primarily centered around people getting together to fellowship. How amazing would it be if Christians around America treated each Sunday with expectation? How great would it be if we looked forward to coming to church each Sunday expecting something big to happen? Yet, many Christians neglect fellowshipping with others on a regular basis. We would be wise to reflect on the words of Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.“
The Super Bowl gives us the opportunity to practice hospitality. This occasion is a great opportunity for us to open our homes to others. It gives us the ability to allow people to enter the privacy of our homes. Super Bowl Sunday, however, should not be the only time we gather with friends either at our homes or someone else’s home to fellowship. How often are you inviting others into your home? How often do you strive to make your home available for others to experience fellowship? You see, it doesn’t matter how great your home looks like, what matters is what you do with it to bless others. We often don’t think of our homes as a tool to bless others. But it certainly can be. Open your home for a small group, share a meal with folks at your table, and invite others to have meaningful conversations in your living room. The early church grew both spiritually and numerically, as believers met from house to house (Acts 2:46). Maybe you can be the key to growing your church by simply opening your home up for others.
We need to take time to thank God for living in a country like America. We have an abundance of food, comfort, and prosperity. Our thankfulness, however, should not be rooted in prideful nationalism. Americans tend to pride themselves on their accomplishments and ability to achieve things. Rather, our thankfulness should be credited back to God in the form of worship. As Christians we must not forget that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). When our thankfulness for the blessings we enjoy turn to worship, not only is God glorified, we begin to realize we have a responsibility to share our blessings with others. We should seek to share with the poor, help the plight of our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world, and find ways to alleviate the suffering of the underprivileged.
Finally, this year Christians were reminded once again that we should use whatever platform the Lord gives us to glorify his name. Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” It was so refreshing to see how the Kansas Chief CEO, Clark Hunt, used his platform to glorify God. He stated on national television as he received the trophy for the AFC Championship, “I want to thank the Lord for blessing us with this opportunity. The glory belongs to Him and this trophy belongs to the best fans in the National Football League.”*
Written by Daniel Messina
*Link to these commercials can be found here: https://www.glaad.org/blog/watch-now-record-number-lgbtq-super-bowl-ads-lil-nas-x-jonathan-van-ness-lilly-singh-katie
Michael Zumbahlen