This week’s big news has focused on the Super Bowl halftime show and Bad Bunny’s performance. Leading up to the Super Bowl, many conservatives protested against having the artist perform in Spanish.
Personally, I enjoyed the multicultural halftime show and its references to the Latin culture. However, I wasn’t a fan of the dance routines due to some of the insinuations. Nor was I a fan of the vulgarity that was spoken in a foreign language.
I am old enough to know that there are multiple ways to communicate other than just through words and sounds. Our actions and imagery are just as effective for communication:
- Dance
- Art
- Visual symbolism
What really made me laugh was the political pushback by many conservatives in America, and they wanted performances spoken and sung in English because that is what they call the original language spoken here.
First off, America is more than just one country; it is a continent divided into three sections, which are made up of multiple countries. In North America, Navajo and other Indian dialects are the original language spoken here before English settlers came from Europe.
What impressed me the most about the halftime show was how Bad Bunny used the world stage to educate people about the continent of America and its diverse cultural makeup. Unlike many conservatives today, he emphasized unity and love instead of hatred and division, which come from Satan, not God.
Overall, the halftime show shed light on what it means to live in America and how we need to put others first, despite our own desires and differences (Philippians 2:3-4). As God’s people, we are commanded to be a shining light to others, not a selfish dark people (Job 24:13-17, Psalm 119:130, Isaiah 9:2).
What Is Light
Light can be literal or figurative; we all know someone who lights up the room every time they enter it. We also understand that light is good and reflects God and our desire to belong to Him.
Light is defined as “Something that makes vision possible or the sensation by visual stimulation; positive.” Light is the opposite of darkness.
God’s purpose for light in the beginning was to separate the good from the darkness and to spread His divine nature (Genesis 1:1-3, John 1:1-5). Light spreads goodness and positivity wherever it goes.
However, as God’s people, we are not called to go make people happy, but to share the holiness of God and His ways with them (Matthew 5:14-16, Philippians 2:14-16).
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about how God’s people and His light are different from this world (Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 John 17:14-16).
We know that this world is fallen and corrupt by the darkness of man’s hearts (Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:23, 1 John 5:19). God set His people apart from this fallen world to be different and to offer a better hope than anything this world can give us (2 Corinthians 6:17, Philippians 3:20, Colossians 3:1-2).
God removed us from the darkness to be a holy people to spread the light of heaven (Ephesians 5:8-14, Philippians 2:15, Colossians 1:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:5). The Apostle Paul remembered his Jewish education about reflecting the light of God and not this world’s cheap rip-off of it.
Ôrâ
The Torah begins with God creating the light to separate His will and plan from the darkness (Genesis 1:1-3). God sent out the light to do His will and to separate good from evil. It is God’s light that gives life to everything (Isaiah 60:19-20).
After the fall, mankind’s light grew dim, and we began to walk in darkness instead of walking with God (Genesis 3:8-10). One of the Hebrew words in the Old Testament for light is ‘ôrâ, and it can also mean “Joy, happiness, herbs, or brightness,” depending on the context it is used in.
The fallen world lives by and pursues whatever makes them happy or great, but this world’s light is temporary (Psalm 39:4-6, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11). That is why God called His people out of the darkness and to be different, to represent the light of God and His Kingdom (Deuteronomy 7:6, Isaiah 42:6-7).
That is why Judaism emphasizes being a light in this dying world (Isaiah 49:6). Below are some of the ways Judaism strives to be a light in the darkness:
- Living the Torah
- Fighting for justice
- Charity
- Showing compassion
- Being ethical
- Forgiving
Jesus reminded His followers to be the light and to focus on God’s kingdom, not this world (Matthew 5:14-16; 6:19-21, 33). He taught that being the light glorifies God, not ourselves (Matthew 5:16).
We must understand the context of how dark the world and Israel were during Jesus’ day. God’s people were being oppressed by another earthly kingdom that was focused on temporary power and earthly greatness.
When we reflect God’s light and love, we are set apart from the world’s darkness (John 1:5; 8:12). God’s people cannot pursue the same things as this fallen world.
TPUSA
In other big news this week, TPUSA aired its own Super Bowl halftime show that was met with both criticism and controversy. For a day or two, there were falsehoods about how many people actually chose to watch the “conservative” alternative. As well as rumors of lip-synching by the performers.
Even Pres. Trump was photographed watching the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show with his guests at his club in Florida.
As for the actual TPUSA show, many conservatives objected to the inclusion of Kid Rock because of his own un-Christian lyrics in some of his songs.
Then there were the conservatives who tried to justify the performer’s vulgar lyrics and old lifestyle by saying he was a changed man, despite the performer’s recent social media posts revealing otherwise.
I am not surprised by the double standard of many conservatives on filthy language, because they are quick to ignore or water down any vulgarities when they proceed from the mouth of President Trump, who can literally get away with murder as long as he is making his supporters happy.
Apparently, they have forgotten how God’s light is meant to reflect Him and not the ways of this world:
- Love thy neighbor
- Forgive
- Do not bear false witness
To be honest, I am more concerned about those who claim to not only know God but claim leadership amongst His people, than I am about those who are lost and still do the things God commands of His own people.
Our Rabbi told a parable to His followers to show that God’s people don’t always do the right thing or shine the light of heaven, while those who are frowned upon do what God commands (Luke 10:30-37).
Many who support TPUSA have forgotten our call to be in the world, but not be of it (2 Corinthians 6:14, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17). Too many believers want and teach a feel-good gospel instead of being the salt God created us to be.
When God’s people focus more on entertainment than enlightenment, we have failed to be the salt and ôrâ (Matthew 5:13-number 16, Mark 9:50)!
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In