Every time the Super Bowl rolls around I am reminded of Super Bowl 2000. This classic match-up was between the Tennessee Titans and the St. Louis Rams. We were living in St. Louis at the time, so we were very much caught up in the excitement.

My husband and I are football fanatics. One can’t grow up in Nebraska (as I did) and not be into football. From late August through Super Sunday, we catch as much gridiron action as our schedule allows. Of course, my passion is college ball, but that year I was very tuned in to the pro ball scene. That year I had a “brother” on the team.

The St. Louis Rams’ quarterback in 2000 was Kurt Warner, an outspoken Christian and a brother in Christ. Kurt was not only a hero to the St. Louis sports faithful, but he was a hero to the Christian community. He was unashamed of the gospel, just as we are commanded to be in Romans 1:16.

Have you ever lived in a city that has just won the Super Bowl? The atmosphere is electric, and the excitement is palpable. Team flags fly from car windows and celebratory paraphernalia floods the local marketplace. There’s nothing quite like it. Yes, the St. Louis Rams won in a thriller. Kurt Warner was our hero.

The atmosphere was still super-charged a week later when we attended Sunday services. Our pastor stepped up to the podium and announced spine-tingling news. 

“I have some exciting news,” he said. “Kurt Warner is here with us this morning.” 

There was a moment of shocked silence. Then everyone was standing, cheering, and clapping.  This was a church of about 1,500, so the roar was deafening. Everyone was craning their neck and scanning the pews for a glimpse of their hero. After the din died a bit, our pastor once again spoke.

“I have a confession to make. Please forgive me. You see, I lied. Kurt Warner is not here – but Jesus Christ is.”

Dead silence. The point Pastor Andrus was trying to make took a few minutes to resonate in our souls, but that point was not missed by anyone. Soon the cheering began anew. We rose to our feet, determined to give our Lord even more recognition and adoration than was lavished on a local sports celebrity. And I believe we pulled it off. I will never forget the enthusiastic and unbridled honor and praise for our Lord that morning. It was truly exhilarating, and it was right.

Matthew 18:20 says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” We had not gathered that morning to honor Kurt Warner. We were there to worship the King of Kings. We were gathered in His name, and He was right there with us. We just needed to be reminded by our very wise pastor.

Thank you, Pastor Andrus, for that life-changing experience. I realized that morning that I had begun to worship the created and not the Creator. I had built a false idol. The object of my affection was human celebrity.

Those of you who have been dramatically and beautifully changed by the Holy Spirit will get this blog. When it really comes down to it, Jesus is the only one worthy of our praise. He is the only true Super Hero.

Joy in Jesus,

Jacquee