The Greatest Show on Earth

"Touchdown Jesus" nickname given
to the large mural that overlooks
Notre Dame Stadium 

The Greatest Show on Earth: The Superbowl?

Is this true? Is the Super Bowl the "greatest show on earth?" Do we really believe that Jesus cares about football (cross reference "Touchdown Jesus"). Does it really matter if Beyonce lip-synched or really sang during the halftime show? Should the Christian church by into the hype? And if I question it, am I a "negative nancy," a "downer," a "joy-drainer?" Why? I wonder if the lights going out at the Super Bowl is not the greatest of all metaphors - you can hype up materialism, consumerism and humanism all you want, but eventually, the lights are going to go out.

Should the Church play such earthly games? That is, should we buy into the hype of a game or some type of societal event (Grammy's, Sport's championships, Oscars, 4th of July, etc). I mean think about it, millions huddled around a glowing object with a group of dudes moving all around the green carpet. People from all over the nation shouting at a flat screen as if those on the inside of that screen can actually hear your shouts - and if they could, would they really care? Sure, the lights eventually will and do come on, but what does the light illuminate?

Don't get me wrong, I dig sports - I participated all the way through college and even attempted to go for the Olympics (wrestling), so I am not one who doesn't appreciate the art of competition. I just wonder why all the hype on this weekend (Superbowl weekend)?

What is the super bowl all about anyway? Commercials controversy, materialism, etc...See unfortunately, the numbers accounted for over the weekend of those participating in super bowl parties far exceeds the numbers of those taking in communion, a sermon and worshiping the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Instead of folks from the church huddling around a screen that presents images of people in Africa, Oakland, China, Canada, witnessing about the life-changing message of Jesus, the millions we speak about are huddled about a glowing screen that illuminates the finer points of capitalism. Over the next few days, Facebook will blow up with people putting in their 2 cents as to the best commercial. These type of events and situations always seem to get me wondering the same thing Jesus did, when "the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Lk 18.8)

Again, I know many will balk at my argument, but I wonder why? What am I saying or presenting that is not true? Truth is, we live in a world bent towards materialism. A post-modern world that tells us we are the center of the universe. We are the masters of our own fate. Today's prescription of happiness (as defined by society) is subtly blurring our vision such that the church and the world are becoming one right before our eyes.


Stop and think, what if you and I, the church, spent as much time, hype and money on the "least of these" as we did this last weekend on our super bowl parties? Concerning the pursuit of the material world C.S. Lewis wrote:

As long as this deliberate refusal to understand things from above, even where such understanding is possible, continues, it is idle to talk of any final victory over materialism.

Whether we like it or not, we Americans are programmed to be consumers. Even when hard-pressed financially, we are pressured by our culture to forget our situation (in the betterment of the whole) and maintain our rate of consumption. This is our identity. We have become sewer pawns to the system of materialism. It is better to be an optimist or positive thinker than a critical thinker in today's post-modern, post-christian society.

Let us not attempt to engage culture within the context defined by culture, but instead, let us stand up and live the life deemed crazy and insane according to the standards of society. Indeed, the break from mainstream thought and consumption will be a struggle, but it is a struggle we must joyfully accept (Heb 12.1-2). Our perspective on life cannot continue to be defined through the consumer mentality prevalent today. We, the body of Christ, must have a Trinitarian perspective if we hope to engage the situation of today.

We have to understand the gospel is relational. Christ comes to earth and draws a circle around himself and He says everybody outside this circle is broken—you are all equal—you are broken, but behold, here is your hope...marry Me, marry Me. So what is our response? Are we willing to walk down the aisle with the Savior of the world, or would we rather climb in bed with the world? Truth is, you can't do both.

Let us not continue to be consumers of society for the good of society but instead, be consumed by the crazy insane love of Jesus for the good of society. Then, in our insanity we truly can give the world the "greatest show on earth" - the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A show that does not simply remain a show because instead of seeking to be observed, Christ's performance invites the world to participate in this act of love so as to reorient and re-humanize the whole of humanity. Are you ready for the role of a lifetime in the greatest show on earth?