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Hello St. John’s Family,
Jesus didn’t teach hate. He washed feet.
Seven words that, if they appeared in one of our Tuesday Morning devotionals or a Cornerstone Note, would probably be warmly received. Words that deliver a direct and powerful message; a message that becomes even more impactful when paired with images of one person washing the feet of someone who is perceived as their adversary.
For a total of 75 seconds, and at a cost of ~17.5 million dollars, that message was shared during the Super Bowl. The two adds that ran have now gone viral, and by most accounts, not in a good way. It seems that conservatives and liberals, evangelicals and mainline Christians all have major issues with everything surrounding these adds. All of which I find very interesting.
Let’s start with the cost. Many have commented at the enormous cost, and of the good that could have been accomplished with the money spent for these for two short adds. I certainly agree the cost was astronomical, and I don’t know that I can personally justify the cost/benefit ratio of spending at that level as so many people face significant needs. Honestly, I cannot justify the cost/benefit ratio of any Super Bowl commercial, but that’s another story. Yet these commercial spots did place the radical message of Christ’s disarming love before millions of viewers in a way that will stick with them… something that the Church at large has struggled to do for decades. Perhaps we shouldn’t dismiss that.
At a deeper level, significant critique has been directed at those producing and funding these commercials. Some have leveled the charge of “hypocrite” toward the “He Gets Us” effort, suspecting their message is less than genuine based on past support of other causes they see as discriminatory or even hateful. Others take issue with the commercials for presenting a watered-down, cheap grace version of Jesus. This camp agrees Jesus freely interacted with sinners and social rejects, yet he also told sinners to go and sin no more – which is conspicuously absent in the commercials. In their eyes, reducing Jesus’ message of love and repentance to a feel-good story does more harm than good for those who need to change their ways.
In the end, conflicting views and sharp criticism has abounded from every angle, with many condemning this ad campaign and those responsible for it. Which, interestingly, is something that Jesus would never do.
Make no mistake: Jesus wasn’t afraid to offer sharp rebukes to those who needed correcting. Both the Pharisees and disciples like Peter found themselves on the receiving end of a rebuke from Jesus. Yet Jesus never condemned others. He was quite clear about that – Jesus came to save, not to condemn. That reality seems to get lost so easily in today’s hyper-polarized, antagonistic society. And sadly, an effort that I have to trust was intended to extend the love and hope of Christ far and wide is instead sparking condemnation, including from those who follow Christ. God’s redeeming love is again overshadowed by condemnation… just like on the night when Jesus first washed the disciples’ dirty feet. Lord, have mercy-
This Sunday in worship we’ll listen to Jesus respond to a question from Pharisees intended to trap him, as an imperfect and broken woman’s life hangs in the balance. After brilliantly disarming their question, Christ will ask the woman Has no one condemned you? As we consider Christ’s question, we’ll see how Jesus’ distinction between conviction and condemnation offers hope and new life to us all. I hope you’ll read John 8:2-11 and then join me in worship on Sunday-
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Brad
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