I’m live in one of the Super Bowl cities, you know the one that dismissed Tim Tebow so Hall of Fame-bound quarterback Peyton Manning could join the team.
It’s interesting how football plays into the culture. A local brewer decided to brew Orange and Blue Beer (Bronco’s colors) and sell it to fans who haven’t drunk in the sport enough. And true to the current dope laws, cannabis dealers are blending special mixtures of Rocky Mountain High for resale to glazed-eyed customers.
People are wearing jerseys to work, the grocery store, and even church. A coworker dyed her hair orange and blue. There have been dozens of local babies named “Peyton” this year, born in local hospitals.
And next Sunday, the nation will gather in worship, not around God, but in adoration for a single game. It’s a worldwide event. There will be plenty of grunts on the field and the plenty of sex and beer on the commercials between plays, with ads selling in the millions
Surprisingly, the game is not devoid of overtures toward God. Mark Driscoll had an interesting interview with several of the star players on the team and it was surprisingly frank. ”Where we are in the world is empty without Jesus,” said Free Safety Russell Maragos. “Jesus is more important than the Super Bowl,” said assistant coach Rocky Seto in the interview. “As much as we worship the ring, Jesus is way better.” And star quarterback Russell Wilson was equally passionate in his interview. “I play for audience of one.”
An article on the faith of Peyton Manning was recently published, putting aside the Tim-Tebow-Persecuted-For-His-Faith argument for a while. “For me,” writes Manning, “it has always been the big four: faith, family, friends and football.”
What’s amazing is that more than half of American fans claim there are “supernatural” forces in play during sports events. The Washington Times says, half of all fans pray to God to help their team, or curse the other team. The Public Religion Research Institute says we actually believe that He plays a role in the outcome.
The logic plays out like this. As a 51-foot field goal attempt is lofted, the power of prayer veers it to the left or the right depending on how many are praying. Some want a miss, some want a score. How does God decide?
Now, I believe God to be all-powerful, and if he so chooses, can carry Russell Wilson’s God Squad to victory over the not-as-fervent-but-still-a-believer Peyton Manning-led team. He can force fumbles and cause crows to fly into receivers outstretched arms. He can flood the red zone or cause locusts to descend on the opposing team.
But I think he likes a good game, and he’ll be watching on the big screen. Because He could care less about the outcome of the Super Bowl, but he’s crazy about you.
Enough to die for you.
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