The Pats aren’t in it this year but nevertheless, many of us will be watching this Sunday’s game anyway (maybe it’s a good excuse to eat unhealthy snacks).
This year, if you don’t walk away during the commercials, you’ll see two very compelling ads. They aren’t ads for products you’ll be compelled to buy. Rather, they’re ads about a compelling figure – Jesus.
They invite the viewer to reconsider what they think they know about Jesus and to recognize Jesus as someone understands what it’s like to be human. They are two of a series of ads which have been playing across the country in the past 10 months with the theme, “He Gets Us.” The ads depict Jesus as someone who got angry, who faced criticism, who invited everyone to sit at his table, who was a refugee, and who didn’t always get along with his family. In promotional materials for the ads, the sponsors say that their hope is that in a world of skepticism and division, people will take another look at Jesus and his message of unconditional love for others regardless of differences. They hope people will see a Jesus who inspired kindness, compassion, caring, and generosity for others.
Funding for the ads comes from a non-profit organization out of Overland Park, KS called “The Servant Foundation.” Those involved include people whose theology is not something I always agree with, but I’ve watched some of the ads, and there’s a lot I can support. They are compelling because Jesus is compelling.
So I hope you watch the Super Bowl this Sunday – and especially the ads. Maybe you’ll post something about them on social media or text a friend and ask them what they thought.
He gets us. Jesus gets us. The world might be a more kind, compassionate, caring, generous one if we followed him.
In Christ,
Pastor Jen