A year after the “He Gets Us” campaign ad sparked debate on social media, a new round of Jesus-centered Super Bowl commercials that aired Sunday night have divided believers once again. found.
This year’s He Gets Us ad began with a 60-second commercial that included 12 consecutive depictions of an individual washing someone else’s feet. In the final moments of the ad, viewers saw the following words on the screen: “Jesus didn’t teach hate. Jesus washed our feet. He’ll get us. All of us.” A solo voice sings the INXS song “Never Tear Us Apart” in the background. Played.
The ad directs the viewer to the website, HeGetsUs.com/LoveYourNeighbor, you can learn about Jesus’ ministry. The website says foot washing is “a perfect example of how we should treat each other, even if we don’t see eye to eye.”
It was one of the most-watched Super Bowl ads on YouTube, with 225,000 views in just over 12 hours after it aired.
“Jesus washed the feet of Peter, a faithful friend who later that night publicly denied knowing Jesus,” the group’s website says. “And even more amazingly, Jesus washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, who was about to betray him for 30 pieces of silver,” the website says, before going on to explain the importance of foot washing in ancient times.
“How would the contentious world be different if we washed each other’s feet, not literally, but figuratively?” it asks. “Washing your feet figuratively can be as simple as complimenting a colleague or paying for a stranger’s lunch. It can also be as simple as not responding to someone who is criticizing you or alienating them.” It can be as difficult as not contacting a family member who has become a victim. An act of kindness done out of humility and respect for others can be considered the equivalent of washing one’s feet.”
of Website He did not provide details about the 12 photos, but said they were intended to show foot-washing interactions between people with “opposing ideologies.” The images include a police officer washing the feet of a black man, a woman washing the feet of a suspected immigrant, and a woman washing the feet of another woman outside a family planning clinic (abortion clinic).
The He Gets Us website includes three Bible verses: John 13:1-17, Matthew 23:11-12 and Luke 7:37-50. Visitors can learn more about Jesus through the YouVersion Bible reading plan linked from the website. There, the Gospel is introduced in a reading plan. (“The Bible teaches that our sin separates us from God, now and forever,” one of the reading plans says. “Thankfully Jesus He made a way for us to live beyond our own death. Jesus boldly says that He is God.” The only way to be saved from the consequences of sin (John 14:6). ” Supporters describe the ad as a funnel to the gospel.
He Gets Us is an initiative of Come Near Inc., which its website describes as an organization “committed to sharing the life and love of Jesus, who believes that he was both man and God, including his resurrection from the dead.” It is described as a non-profit organization.
He won the subsequent Super Bowl in 15 seconds. advertisement It contained a message about loving your neighbor.
On X (formerly Twitter), the ad received criticism from both the left and the right. The ad also divided Christian opinion.
“Let’s go @HeGetsUs. A powerful commercial,” wrote Transforming Church pastor Darwin L. Gray.
“I’m going to be a glass half-full guy,” radio host Mark Davis wrote. “#HeGetsUs #SuperBowlAds I hear the criticism that #Jesus is all bros and there are no rules. But in this age where churches are becoming less and less, if people pick up a Bible or start going to church… , they will be exposed to the true Christ.
I’m going to be a glass half full guy. I have heard criticism that #he gets us #superbowlad #Jesus Everyone is friends and there are no rules. But in this day and age where churches are becoming more and more disappearing, if people pick up a Bible or start attending church, they will be exposed to the true Christ. I’ll take it.
— Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) February 12, 2024
“This is the strongest play I’ve ever seen! Jesus didn’t teach us to hate! I came for this commercial! It was so good! Sports commentator Ron Mr. Slay wrote:
“Last year, I came under fire from some people for criticizing ‘He Gets Us,’ but my concerns remain,” said podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey. “‘Shouldn’t we be happy that the name of Jesus is reaching millions of people?’ If that’s not the Jesus of the Bible, then that’s not the case. If you have, please share the gospel. Don’t waste it on vague, ambiguous mumbo jumbo that makes Jesus into our image instead of portraying Him as King and Savior.”
“He Gets Us’ advertising message is not that you should worship Jesus. Their message is that Jesus worships you,” writes blogger Samuel Say.
The advertising message of He Gets Us is not that we should worship Jesus.
Their message is that Jesus worships you.
— Samuel Say (@SlowToWrite) February 12, 2024
Justin Gibboney, president of the And campaign, defended the ad.
“Some Christians disliked the @HeGetsUs ad because they consider it an insult to show our humility in serving those with whom we disagree. We believe that doing = affirming sin. Reread the Sermon on the Mount. The culture wars have taught us to focus on fighting them, not Jesus. @HeGetsUs purpose is non-profit. “It’s about engaging believers, not about publishing a Christological treatise in seconds,” Gibbony wrote. “That commercial was not affirming any sin, but it was affirming the human dignity of all people. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. ”
The point of @a_a_o_o_o_o_ The goal is to interest non-believers, not to publish a Christological treatise in seconds.
The commercial did not affirm sin, but the human dignity of all people.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
— Justin Giboney (@JustinEGiboney) February 12, 2024
Some supporters criticized the ad for depicting people washing their feet outside an abortion clinic. In the background of the image, a pro-life protester can be seen holding a placard.
March for Life’s official social media accounts claimed the ad promoted Christ’s forgiveness.
“After abortion there is forgiveness and healing, and @hegetsu’s Super Bowl ad showed that,” March for Life said on X (formerly Twitter). “The ad features followers of Jesus washing the feet of his neighbors, including criminals, the elderly, classmates, parents, and yes, women performing abortions, post-abortion, and/or considering abortion. It is unclear why the woman was sitting outside the abortion facility, but the incident is a wake-up call for those considering abortion and for those who work at abortion facilities. , serves as a reminder to all of us that there is forgiveness, healing, and support after an abortion. Abortion hurts everyone. It’s okay to ask for help. There is hope, healing, and support. There is support for those who need it, and that is why the pro-life movement exists to walk with all people in life and overcome all their weaknesses.”
The He Gets Us campaign also aired two commercials during last year’s Super Bowl. One, “be like a child” includes photos of children demonstrating acts of kindness and says, “Jesus didn’t want us to act like adults. He gets us. All of us.” 2 The second ad “love your enemies” featured pictures of adults arguing and fighting. It ended with these words: “Jesus loved those we hate. He gets us. All of us.”
Photo credit: he gets us / YouTube.com
Michael Faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His story was published in Baptist Press. Christianity Today, Christian Poecent, of leaf chronicle, of toronto star and of knoxville news sentinel.
