For Christ's Sake, People!
--by
Pastor Jamey Nichols
In the 1.16.12 issue of Time Magazine, Jon Meacham explored the impact of one professional quarterback's
faith on the rest of American evangelicalism. Tim Tebow, Denver's rising star, has been getting more attention than any other
professional athlete on the public stage. In fact, many would argue that Tebow is, at this time in history, the most famous
figure in all of professional sports. He sure has garnered more than his share of attention-positive and negative.
You may remember
the controversy that surrounded a pro-life commercial at last year's Super Bowl. Many who hadn't yet seen the spot were apoplectic
about the fact that a public event like the Super Bowl would air a commercial with political overtones. The irony of such
an objection is hilarious. Amidst sex-charged ads to have something family oriented is a breath of fresh air. The ad featured
Tebow's mom telling the story of her high-risk pregnancy with Tebow and her refusal to follow the medical recommendation for
an abortion. She chose to let the child live or die in God's timing, and he wound up being a Heisman Trophy winner and then
an NFL first round draft pick. Funny, isn't it, how a woman's right to choose is celebrated only when she chooses abortion. Can't a woman choose life, too? It was a heartwarming commercial ,and it's worth
looking up online if you haven't seen it. It's on youtube.com.
In Time Magazine, the issue de jour was Tebow's outspoken
love for Jesus/Our popular culture loves the idea that all religions are acceptable and that all people are free to choose
their own religion. However, our culture also prefers that whatever religion you do choose, keep it to yourself! Tebow definitely
doesn't follow that cultural value. You can often see him praying after the game or hear him thanking his Lord Jesus during
a post-game interview. Some (many!) would just as soon he shut up about his Jesus.
Meacham, in his Time article, makes one particular
statement that just about sent me apoplectic. He referred to the hatred of the outspoken Christian as, "inevitable backlash,"
and added that Christians, "ought not be surprised when they are talked about in ways that require them to turn the other
cheek." What!? In America!? The home of the brave and the land of the freedom of religion! I had to reread the article
several times to be sure that's what it said. That's what it said!. Meacham was basically saying that the verbal bullying
of Christians is to be expected. In other words, if you want to speak openly about loving Jesus, expect to be vilified, marginalized,
and slandered. Just assume that you've got it coming. Of course, that's pretty much what Jesus said, too. His words were,
"If the world hated you, keep in mind that it hated me first" (John 15:18).
I think that the part of the whole thing
I found most disturbing was the fact that bullying in any other context is abhorred. Right now in public education, anti-bullying
is the hottest subject. Even in other social contexts, bullying is often referred to as the most abhorrent, intolerant way
to treat another human. And yet in America-one nation under God-to openly love his Son is grounds for ridicule and hatred.
Such is the epitome of intolerance!
In the balance of the article Meacham never once hinted that the treatment Tebow has received is inappropriate.
He just lets the fact of it hang there like it's as normal and natural as getting wet in the rain. In fact, he concluded his
article with what could easily be considered a threat. He writes of the anti-Tebow sentiment, "Whenever and however the
Bronco's postseason ends, their young quarterback has already given us a glimpse of what lies ahead for Evangelical Christianity
and for America." And so he has. Let the family of God arise to praise the name of Him whose sufferings we share (Philippians
1:29; 2 Corinthians 1:5; 1 Peter 2:20-25, 4:16).
Pastor Jamey
