Relationships are the foundation of human existence and the bedrock on which we we build our families and society. Relationships are a two way street where both parties not only ‘get’ each other but they ‘know’ each other. A recent Super Bowl advertisement led with the statement, He Gets Us. After watching this ad numerous times I’m pretty sure the next campaign should be, Do We Get Him?
The brunt of every advertisement is to sell a product or point of view. In this case, I’m not sure what the ad was selling but I know it was misleading and confusing. ‘He Gets Us’ is presented with the assumption the advertisement represents Jesus and His teachings on accepting people. If this is true, I think they could/should have chosen the more predominate theme of Jesus accepting people…their repentance.
If WE want to ‘get’ Jesus, of which this entire campaign and theme neglects, there is one place to get Him, the Bible. If we go with the belief Jesus was the Son of God and reflects both the Old and New Testaments, there are even more places to ‘get’ Him. There is NO doubt about the confusion and conflict in our world today and there is no doubt Jesus and the Bible have the answers. It is imperative WE get Him.
When the world becomes destabilized and your life presents questions you can’t answer, turn to the Bible. The Old Testament book of Job tells the story of a man seeking answers to the conflict and confusion in his life. Job questions why his life is the way it is. Many of the people and scenes depicted in the ‘He Gets Us’ ad campaign reflect folks who don’t understand the reasons behind their suffering. The ad does not point these people to the Bible but they share a commonality with the story of Job. Behind the calamities for Job and the scenes in the ad campaign, there lies a spiritual battle raging between God and the devil, good and evil, truth and lies. To understand and gain clarity of events in the world, we need to ‘get Him’.
Job’s friends presented a campaign to help him understand the chaos in his life and ‘get’ God. Their campaign led with the fact that knowing and getting God is THE key to understanding your life. Take the time to read Job 36:5-12 for yourself. Let me summarize, God is mighty, He despises no one; He understands all people and things, but…He tells us to first repent from iniquity, arrogance, sin and pride. This primary message was left out of the advertisement.
Repentance is to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about your wrongdoings and sin. Many of the scenes in the campaign ‘He Gets Us’ show people making choices and living lives antithetical to God’s teachings in the Bible…abortion, sexual perversions, stealing, ect… Another example that He gets us but we don’t really get Him.
In an earlier chapter, Job’s friends asked him about the importance of repenting. ‘Suppose a man says to God, “I am guilty but will offend no more. Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong I will not do so again.” Should God then reward you on your terms when you refuse to repent?’ Job 34:31-33.
Job’s answer sums up what is lacking in this ad and often times in the church. “‘My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.'” Job 46:5-6. He gets us but do we really get Him?
Some may say this represents the God of the Old Testament and Jesus is the New Testament. In fact, this ad stresses that ‘Jesus didn’t teach hate.’ To ‘get’ Jesus, let’s focus on what He DID teach.
When Jesus began His ministry, His first words in Matthew were ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ In the book of Mark, ‘The time has come, the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.’ In Luke, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance….But unless you repent, you too will all perish.’
This recent advertising focuses on people forgiving others as Christ forgave us. Jesus told His followers the same but with a caveat left out of the campaign. ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent,” forgive him.’ Luke 17:3. Calling sin out doesn’t make a Super Bowl ad campaign. Repentance isn’t a popular feel good message either but it is a key teaching in order to ‘get Him’.
This advertising campaign is a reminder much of our culture has invaded the church and is confusing the full gospel, the full teachings of Jesus. Therefore, many want to focus on the warm, fuzzy, flowing haired Jesus so often presented with the tagline, He Gets Us. More important is the question, Do We Get Him? The culture advertises the fallacy there are numerous ways to get to heaven and any message is better than none. Jesus did not teach this.
Like the Super Bowl, Peter reminds us the clock is ticking and time does run out…and repentance is THE key to eternity. ‘Do not forget this one thing. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day…He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ 2 peter 3:8-9. We all have a limited time to play the game of life…and repent.
The last book in the Bible drills home the message Jesus delivered His entire life. Revelation 2:5,16,21,22….Keep reading, He repeats it ad nauseam….REPENT.
The latest He Gets Us campaign is a reminder it is more important that We Get Him. ‘What He Really Gets About Us’ is in the Book not in a TV advertisement. Read it and make up your own mind.