Fourth and God

"If you pick against Denver this weekend, you're picking against every sports movie ever made, as well as the $86 million opening weekend Disney is about to have for Fourth-and-God in 15 months. As always, tread carefully." — Bill Simmons, Editor-in-Chief of Grantland.com

Last Sunday, as I sat in the living room preparing for overtime, I didn't know what to think. When, on the first play, I saw Tim Tebow deliver a strike to Demaryius Thomas for an 80-yard touchdown strike to knock the Steelers out of the playoffs, all I could do, literally, was jump for joy.

The last few months of the NFL season have been a roller-coaster for Broncos fans, Tebow fans, and NFL fans in general. There was the high of an improbably six-game winning streak that put the Broncos in the drivers' seat for an AFC West crown, the low of a three-game losing streak to end the season, and another high in that playoff game. I don't, realistically, expect the Broncos to beat the Patriots and go to, or win, the Super Bowl this year, but I can't rule it out. You can't rule anything out with this team.

And I'm not the only one that feels that way. The above quote was a bit flip on the part of Simmons, talking about the future movie to be made about this team and Tebow. But it's also a little truthful. Of course, Tebow has become a national fascination, with many going too far in proclaiming his proving the existence of the divine and many going too far in ridiculing him for what appears to be a genuine faith.

This first playoff game is a prime example of that. Tebow finished with 316 years and a 31.6 yard completion average. That led many to proclaim it evidence that God was speaking through Tebow's play, citing the oft quoted verse John 3:16 as inspiration. This struck me as funny for a couple reasons: first, though he could, I'm not sure God controls the outcomes of sporting events. As much as I want Denver to win games, the idea of praying to God that he help my team win a sports competition always seemed a little petty to me. Second, it shows the lack of imagination on the part of the public, especially the secular media, that they settled on John 3:16. Of course, on a lark, I looked up 1 Timothy 3:16, since Tebow's first name is Timothy, and actually found a verse that makes the point better:

"Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory." — 1 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

Some have called Tebow a prophet, some have proclaimed him a divine miracle, others have, somewhat blasphemously, proclaimed him to be the second-coming. Of course, it makes no difference to those people that Tebow has never said anything remotely like that about himself. Nor has he ever come out and remarked on how his play on the field is evidence of the divine providence of God in the world. Instead, he has let his actions speak for themselves in providing a Christian witness to the world. Funny, that strikes me as exactly what the Bible would have us do.

A few years ago, a movie came out called "Hamlet 2." A centerpiece of that film was a play created for the film that featured the original musical number "Rock Me Sexy Jesus." Of course, many found it offensive. And it was offensive. But the root idea behind it was also fascinating. The idea was that, if Jesus came to Earth today, in order to gain a following, he'd have to take on the persona of a celebrity. On the surface that idea seems crazy — Jesus is our Lord and Savior, the Son of God. But when you consider our culture, and who the public gravitates too, that makes more sense.

That came to mind when I considered Tebow. He is an athlete, which puts him in a position to be over exposed and, possibly, worshipped in our modern culture. Isn't that the perfect place to be if you wanted to be a real Christian witness to a world that's becoming increasingly lost? And isn't that, at the most basic level, what Tebow is? He is a great Christian witness. Someone who stands for something even when it isn't easy or popular to do so.

It doesn't matter if Denver wins or loses today, all that matters is the consistent witness that Tebow provides in the public eye. That's how he can impact the world for Christ. But, I have to say, I wouldn't mind if he won anyway :)