“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18 ESV
About a week and a half out from the Super Bowl…
Maybe it’s just because of who I am and who I know, but there’s only one commercial I still see people talking about. And love it or hate it, I think there’s significance in the fact that it’s still being discussed.
I hadn’t planned to weigh in on this. I find it odd, a bit disheartening, and very telling that so many professing Christians seem up in arms over a simple commercial that was seen by millions of people around the world. The ad depicted an important character quality of Christ (and presumably of Christ-followers), directing viewers to a website where they could learn more. How is this a problem?!
I have seen Christian leaders blast the commercial as heretical and blasphemous. I’ve read dozens of takes on what “should have” been said. I’ve even seen some remakes of the commercial, labeled as “better” alternatives to the simple, thought-provoking ad that was broadcast. I’ve cringed and wanted to weep.
If anything, from where I stand the response to the “He Gets Us” campaign illustrates well why such a campaign is so important. He “gets” us; clearly we [professing Christians] do not “get” Him.
In case you missed it, the ad in question depicts foot-washing. That’s all it is - a commercial depicting foot-washing, which Christ Himself modeled for us.
“But Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He didn’t wash everyone’s feet.”
He washed the feet of Judas.
And Jesus told the disciples that He did it as an example for them to follow. He was calling them to service and to humility.
Judas and the coming betrayal was on Jesus’s mind when He was washing feet. He knew who Judas was. He knew what Judas was going to do. And He washed his feet anyway. And He told His disciples to follow His example.
The “He Gets Us” ad was designed to point the lost to a place where they could hear/read the gospel message. It was designed to get people’s attention, depicting EVERYONE as loved and valued.
Mission accomplished!
In my opinion (and it’s just that - my opinion), the underlying message of the “He Gets Us” commercial was more for the professing saved than for the lost. Why have so many Christians gotten so offended by this?
Personally, I got convicted.
I have little interest in football. I have even less interest in professional football, and actually have a general dislike for the NFL. But watching the Super Bowl commercials has become somewhat of a tradition. So I was paying attention when the commercial aired early in the game. I was silenced by the powerful message I saw playing out on the screen. And there was an inward “ouch” that followed.
This was not, from my perspective, a message of “Jesus just loves and accepts everyone and their sin.” It reminded me that Jesus did, in fact, love and serve all kinds of people - in spite of their sin. He did wash the feet of His enemy. And He told His followers that they should do the same.
But we don’t.
At least, I don’t.
Not always.
Sometimes, I’m just a little too aware of other peoples’ sins. I try not to, but I still jump to conclusions about peoples’ character based on their appearance. I classify and categorize and make assumptions when what I’m actually called to do is to serve and to share the love of Christ.
You know - Christ -
Jesus.
The Savior.
Emmanuel, God with us.
The One who was made like us in every respect.
He washed Peter’s feet - Peter whose faith failed him out on the water.
He washed Thomas’ feet - Thomas who was going to have some doubts about the resurrection.
He washed the feet of all of the disciples who were going to abandon Him just a few hours later.
And He washed Judas’ feet.
He also sat at a well and talked to a Samaritan woman.
He touched lepers.
He defended a woman who was caught in the act of adultery.
He got His hands muddy to restore the sight of a blind man.
He went to the homes of society’s outcasts.
Yes, lives were changed when Jesus touched people. But He did not wait for them to change before He touched them.
He went where broken, sinful, dirty, sick people were, and that’s where He touched them.
I love to hear testimonies of people who have been saved and delivered from the sins of the past. Absolutely! So I can rejoice with the “former” dealer, user, addict, prostitute, thief, murderer, abortionist - whatever anyone’s past that the Lord has brought them through and forgiven them of - PRAISE THE LORD!
But we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that the Lord didn’t require them to clean up their lives BEFORE He saved them.
So go ahead and share the video of the “formers.” Those testimonies certainly should be shared.
But whether or not you think the “He Gets Us” message will draw people to salvation, at least let your own heart be touched by the message that following Jesus requires that we approach those unlike us and that we love and serve them.
…Just a thought…
