The Super Bowl or the Savior?

by Travis Quertermous

From The Reminder, February 5, 2012

If you are a fan of the National Football League, the name of Tim Tebow is very familiar to you. In fact, even if you aren’t a fan of the NFL, you have no doubt heard of Tebow as he has been in the news a lot lately. When he became the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos, they were in last place in their division. But Tebow led them to a conference championship and a spot in the playoffs. In fact, in his first playoff game, Tebow led the Broncos to a thrilling overtime victory over the heavily-favored Pittsburgh Steelers.

But to me, the most interesting thing about that game was not “Tebowmania,” but what happened in the stands just before the game went into overtime. In attendance that day was a deacon for a local church of Christ along with his son. As the fourth quarter was winding down and the game was clearly headed to overtime, this brother said to his son, “It’s time for us to go.” His young son naturally wanted to stay and watch the end of the game. And what an end it was! Why did they leave early? He simply said to his son, “We have a more important place to be.” And where was that? The Sunday evening worship service of the congregation where he was a deacon.

Do you suppose that young man learned anything about proper priorities that day? Jesus Himself said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). Have we learned that lesson as well? There is nothing in this world more important than loyal service and dedication to our Maker!
As most of us know, there is an even bigger game than the Broncos-Steelers playoff game kicking off this afternoon about the same time as our evening worship service. That game, of course, is the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is the championship game of the NFL. It is the biggest sporting event of the year and has become a part of Americana. What will our choice be? Will we say to our families, “We have a more important place to be” or will we miss the worship of God to watch a football game? Will it be the Super Bowl or the Savior?