Monday, January 9, 2012
The mocking of the messenger of God

In his book "Through My Eyes," Tim Tebow gives an account of how he wanted to switch his eye black from Philippians 4:13 to John 3:16 if his Florida Gators made it to the National Championship game in January 2009. He writes that Coach Urban Myers first response was, "You can't. What are you thinking? Philippians 4:13 is such a great verse." Tebow wrote that both of them knew it was a superstitious streak "bubbling up" in Coach Myers. Tebow stood his ground. Coach Myers replied, "Yeah, that's a great one, too. Okay, that'll be great!" Tebow wrote: "I'm told that ninety-four million people searched for John 3:16 on Google during and immediately following the National Championship Game."

Not one network analyst picked the Denver Broncos to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday's National Football League Wild Card game. In fact, during the week leading up to the game, there seemed to be more focus on second year Denver quarterback Tim Tebow than on any other player. Most network analysts and other sports columnists just love to mock God through Tebow. No other young quarterback is held to such scrutiny according to my personal observations. This young man has taken a stand for what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord and not even the sports media can embrace it. They can, however, mock him openly, couching their comments as critical analysis of his playing style.

Tebow's Broncos won six straight games before losing three in a row. During the beginning of the winning streak, the commentators could hardly focus on anything, but Tebow's faith--by and large mocking it. Then they backed off. Then the Broncos started losing games again. The commentators started bashing Tebow again, lacing their "analysis" with innuendo about his faith. They set the stage for Sunday's matchup against the Steelers. It was a perfect Galatians 6:7 moment: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked." Tebow ran for a touchdown and passed for two. He had an overall quarterback rating of 125.6 compared with Steelers' veteran Super Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's 75.9.

It was a 316 kind of day. Tebow passed for 316 total yards for a 31.6 yard average. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Tim Tebow is carrying a message of hope, love and salvation in the name of the Lord. That makes him prophetic. He has been blessed with a big platform from which to speak. The response, however, has been indicative of the world we live in. Here's a little more meat. 2 Chronicles 36:16 says, "But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy."

Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson