He Gets Us. But Do We Get Him?

If you watched the Super Bowl, you may have seen the ads, “He Gets Us” sponsored by wealthy believers in Jesus.

Similar ads ran in last year’s Super Bowl. And they have been occasionally run throughout the year.

This year’s ad was based on Jesus’ washing the disciples feet in John 13. In this modern approach Christians are depicted as demonstrating compassion by washing the feet of those who may be considered marginalized either by society in general or by some churches and Christians,.

Honestly, I have mixed emotions about the ads.

On one hand, when Christ is preached I can rejoice, as Paul did, even by those who possessed ulterior motives (Phil. 1:18).

The tagline “He Get’s Us!” is a Biblical message. The Bible says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Like each of us, as the prophet, Isaiah wrote, Jesus was indeed one who suffered sorrows and was acquainted with grief (Isa. 53:3). He understands our humanity. He knows our weaknesses. He feels our pain. He identifies with our temptations. He emphasizes with our struggles.

Furthermore, Jesus is described as feeling compassion for the sick, the suffering and the sinner. Matthew often says Jesus was “moved with compassion” (Matt. 9:36, 14:14; 18:27). In that spirit Jesus taught His disciples to show compassion to others–especially to “the least of these” (Matt. 25:31-46). Jesus cares. So should we.

However, I really wonder if these type of ads, costing one billion dollars over a three year period are producing the type of results their sponsors envisioned. Ironically, both believers and non-believers have been critical of the ads. Those on the far left accuse the sponsors of trying to deceive people, accused them of being bigots, and having a political agenda.

Others suggest the money could be better used to actually help people in need instead of just talking about it.

Cal Thomas wrote in a piece after last year’s Super Bowl that according to their sponsor they were running the ads to redeem “Jesus Brand.” He rhetorically asks, “Has Jesus become a brand, like beer, chips and dip super bowl ads?”

Thomas further opined, “I understand what the organizers are trying to do-make Jesus more appealing to a younger generation. But many are watering down his real appeal and thus diluting His power and message.”

Bob Russell recently wrote expressing a similar concern.

“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.”

While it’s obviously true that “Jesus Gets Us,” I wondered after watching the ads, do we get Jesus?

Do we understand that His mission was “to seek and save the lost’ (Lk. 19:10)?

Do we understand that His message was to “repent or perish” (Lk. 13:3,5)?

Do we understand His ministry was not only one of compassion, providing for the needs of people, but one of teaching and preaching, giving direction to people, and redemption, saving the souls of people, and victory, offering eternal hope to people (Matt. 4:23; Mk,. 10:45).

Do we understand His miracles, although motivated by compassion, were not just to cure societal ills, but as a means to demonstrate His Deity and prove He was the Son of God? (Jn. 20:3–31).

Do we get Jesus? That He is the “Great Physician” who came to heal the sin-sick soul (Matt. 9:12-13)?

Russell also observed that “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.”

Yes, Jesus gets us. But do we get Him?

He calls us to accept Him as the only way. The embodiment of Truth. And the only one who gives eternal life and access to the Father (Jn. 14:6).

Following Jesus resurrection and just prior to His ascension, Jesus words to the Disciples and by implication to us were plain and pointed. “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:15-16).

He Gets Us.

But do we get Him?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman