A lot of people had opinions about the Christocentric commercials that were aired during the Super Bowl, myself included. Over the subsequent days, I engaged dozens of people in deep conversation. Most of the concerns discussed revolved not around what was actually communicated in the commercials, but what was NOT communicated and how people might or might not respond as a result.
As I composed last week’s article, I wondered if I was possibly kicking a hornets nest. As it turned out, that’s exactly what I was doing. Personally, I felt the messaging of the commercials was biblically solid and applauded their efforts. If the goal was to open up conversations and to get people considering the love of Jesus and good news of the gospel, it is hard to argue that anything less than success was achieved.
People from all sides of theological and political spectrums, however, did not agree with my positive assessment. Those with a more progressive bent argued that the messaging couldn’t be trusted because those behind the efforts are conservatives who hold traditional Christian views on social and moral issues. Those with a more conservative bent took issue with what the commercial did NOT say or what it might infer. They felt that the messaging might be taken as tacit approval of actions and attitudes that are incompatible with the truth of Scripture. Further, they felt that the simple picture of the love of God failed to go far enough to call people to Jesus. Ironically, people with polar opposite perspectives and convictions found the message to be suspect and untrustworthy.
…While we are responsible to plant or water the seeds of truth, God is the one who makes it grow and produce life. We can’t judge intentions and we cannot control interpretations.
Some of the concerns mentioned are not without merit. I agree that the messaging did not clearly present the full message of the gospel. Salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone, and a full-bodied invitation to accept Jesus was not offered (Ephesians 2:8-9). I agree that there are numerous ways in which the interpretation of the meaning of the messaging was left to the hearer. But, as a pastor, I will tell you that every message is, to some degree, at the mercy of the recipient. This is why it is good news that while we are responsible to plant or water the seeds of truth, God is the one who makes it grow and produce life (1 Corinthians 3:5-9). We can’t judge intentions and we cannot control interpretations.
Ultimately, all we can do is assess the integrity and biblical accuracy of what was actually presented. Jesus did not teach hate; Jesus taught that we should love as He loved us (John 13:34-35). Jesus did wash feet; He washed the feet of men who would abandon, deny, and betray Him hours later, and told His disciples to follow His example (John 13:1-7). According to Hebrews 4:14-16, He (Jesus) does get us; He understands our hurts, hardships and temptations, because though He was/is divine and sinless, He lived a human life. Every piece of the picture they painted was biblically accurate and worthy of proclamation and consideration. It certainly was not the whole picture, but it was a good place to start.
Many of us had much to say about what they didn’t say… It’s now our responsibility to say what matters most.
The concerns about what happens next are valid, though. I agree with those who have argued that there is more to be said and done to help people find and follow Jesus. Yes, Jesus loves them as they are, but He wants to help them to become and do so much more in relationship with Him. That’s the next part of the message, and I believe that responsibility lies with those of us on the streets, so to speak. Will we be as bold in sharing the full truth of the gospel as we’ve been to call out the perceived failure of those who funded and created the commercials?
We have a real opportunity to pick up where the commercials left off, to present the next piece of the puzzle and fill in what is missing. God does so love the World. Jesus did teach and call us to love others sacrificially, regardless of whether they ever come to faith. Jesus also tasked ALL Christians with the responsibility to be His witnesses in ALL places, to ALL nations, wherever we go (Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20). The ball is in play and it has been placed in our hands. Many of us had much to say about what wasn’t said… We now have the opportunity and responsibility to say what matters most. They’ve made the introduction, we get to offer the invitation to come and follow.
