February 2, 2020 (Sunday)
This evening, two NFL teams will square off and compete for the title of “World Champion” at the Super Bowl. The NFL, aided by millions of Americans, has created something out of nothing. Until 1967, there was no Super Bowl. The first one was called the “AFL-NFL Championship Game.” And that’s what it was.
The teams met, played, and then went home. Game over. The next year, the game was named, the “World Championship Game.” It drew more attention each year. When the next game rolled around, it was named, the “Third World Championship Game.” It was finally named, the “Super Bowl,” in 1970. The next year the game got a number, being named, “Super Bowl V.” The Roman numerals have been used every year since and this year is it “Super Bowl LIV.”
Every year more activities are added until today it is like a national holiday, and far more than 100 million people will watch the game. We now have at least two weeks of events of many kinds associated with the Super Bowl, especially in the host city (this year, Miami), but also throughout the nation. The final week of this American gala is now known as, “Super Week.”
Tickets are expensive. As they become available each year, the best ones are scooped up by corporations which then build good will and gain clients by distributing them to people of choice.
The actual football game is almost lost amidst the celebrations, shows, parades, news conferences, celebrity hype, illegal gambling opportunities, and no telling what else. Will I watch the game? Yes, unless something happens to divert my attention. Why? Probably because so many others will watch.
This institution (the Super Bowl and activities attached to it) is destined to hang around, because so much money is involved. A list of those who will profit in some way because of the Super Bowl would be too long to read. As long as it is about lots of money, the tradition will continue.
If 100 million people in America watch the Super Bowl, that’s only 1.4% of the world’s population. A humbling thought.
Meanwhile, back at churches all across America, you may attend worship services this morning in almost every town, city, or country location. You can find a house of worship. You will be welcome.
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1 NLT). And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25 NLT).