The wealthy believers who invested millions of dollars in the “He Gets Us!” ad aired during the Super Bowl are to be commended. The first-rate commercial depicted compassionate Christians washing the feet of the marginalized and outcast. The ad received considerable attention, and the name of Jesus was exalted. That is good!
The phrase, “He Gets Us!” is true. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Since Jesus was “acquainted with sorrows and grief,” He identifies with our hurts and understands our struggles.
Jesus repeatedly taught His followers to express compassion to others, especially those in distress. Jesus said, “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). And Jesus did wash the feet of His disciples (including Judas, who was about to betray Him), and said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
So the basic message of the “He Gets Us!” ad was Biblical and meaningful. Jesus is not a hater. He cares for the drug addict, the climate change activist, and the woman who visits Planned Parenthood seeking an abortion. As should we. Jesus welcomes sinners and invites all to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
The campaign about Jesus has been criticized by many – both Christian and non-Christian. Some Christians criticize the amount of money spent, while others lament the secular social justice tone of the message. Non-Christians, expectedly, criticize the effort to portray Jesus in a positive light. Many secularists point to the donors supporting the campaign, warning others not to be duped by the campaign they describe as funded by “bigoted, Maga-loving Christians.” In an article for Vox, one critic denounced the effort, saying, “While the clear goal of the ad is to bring people together across different life experiences and backgrounds, the result is a disjointed, chaotic dartboard effect that raises far more questions than it provides answers.”
Similar to the Vox critic, I felt the ads left viewers confused rather than inspired or intrigued. Now, before I explain further, let me preface it by recalling an old story about acclaimed Evangelist Dwight Moody. A man criticized Moody for the way he conducted altar calls at the end of his crusades. Moody tersely asked the critic how he conducted them at his own crusades. The critic admitted he didn’t preach. To which Moody replied, “Well, I like the way I’m doing it better than the way you are not doing it.”
So I acknowledge I did not spend millions of dollars on a Super Bowl ad to exalt Jesus, and I am glad someone tried to. And I like the way they did it better than the way I didn’t do it. With that said, I hope the creators of the campaign consider some of this critique as a suggestion for improvement rather than an outright dismissal of their efforts
Admittedly, I realize it is difficult to present the essence of the gospel in a 30-second commercial. But the primary need of our unprincipled culture is not to leave the impression that “Jesus loves us despite our sin” and that is all, which I feel the ads portray. Instead, our lost world needs to know that Jesus loves us despite our sin, calls us to repentance from our sin, and saves us from the consequences of that sin.
I would be more inclined to fully support the “He Gets Us!” campaign efforts if the ad directed viewers to a website where they would be presented with a clear explanation of the gospel. However, the HeGetsUs.com website appears to further the ads’ soft-sell of the gospel, with more effort given to distance themselves from Christian stereotypes and to ensure site visitors they are not trying to get them to go to church. The site barely portrays Jesus as God and says little about the cross or our need for repentance in order to escape the punishment of hell.
The first thing a sick person needs to hear is not, “The doctor really cares about you,” although that’s reassuring. The first thing a sick person needs is a correct diagnosis. “You have a serious infection. It’s potentially lethal, but the good news is it is treatable. Now, here’s what you need to do to survive.”
Jesus came to earth to “seek and save the lost.” His most graphic display of love was not washing feet but the giving of His life on the cross “as a ransom for many.” The reason His atoning death was necessary was, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” Jesus’ first recorded sermon was not, “God loves you and understands you and accepts you as you are.” Jesus’ very first recorded message to the world was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). His last recorded words to His disciples were, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16)
Jesus came to redeem us from the lethal consequences of our sin. But our redemption is contingent upon repentance which is confessing our wickedness and turning from our evil ways and walking in obedience to Christ. Jesus warned, “…unless you repent, you too will all perish” (Luke 13:3) After Simon Peter preached the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost, the people were convicted of their sin against Jesus and cried out, “What should we do?” Peter didn’t say, “You don’t need to do anything. Jesus gets you and automatically forgives you.” “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). When we repent of sin and express our surrender to Jesus as Lord by being baptized into Him, Jesus not only cleanses us of sin, He empowers us to conquer death and live forever. He promises, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25).
Although I appreciate those who invested millions to exalt the name of Jesus during the Superbowl, I’m convinced the primary message a fallen world needs to hear can be conveyed in half a minute, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
