Another 'Tebow Time’ Triumph!

He has become a polarizing figure in sports and even in the culture, being constantly on the lips of millions. And his fame has now even spread beyond the nation's boundaries. The reason for the uproar and interest is simple. It is because of the first thing that exits his lips, win or lose, from the young underdog quarterback of the surprising NFL Denver Broncos.

He is Tim Tebow, the young athlete who kneels in prayer at times when many players are seen pounding their own chests and admiring their own talents. He is the one who always boldly acknowledges his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ before going on to regularly compliment his team members and coaches for making him look better than he really is.

Just how good he is right now, or how good he can become, is anyone’s guess. But the fact remains that he has led his team from a disastrous start all the way to the playoffs where they pulled off a miraculous overtime win while setting several NFL playoff overtime records in the process.

After the stunning January 8th victory over the favored Pittsburgh Steelers, Tebow also said, "I'm just very thankful for the platform that God has given me and the opportunity to be a quarterback for the Denver Broncos." The young QB has also gained major attention by introducing to culture what is now deemed "Tebowing". It is simply kneeling on one knee, elbow perched on the other, and with a fist to forehead in acknowledging his faith and love for God while on the field and off.

It seems that people either adore Tim Tebow for his outspoken testimony or hate him regardless of his performance on the field. Detractors seem irate just because of his unashamed and outspoken faith. That is simply an evidence of ignorance, conviction, or an obvious evidence of spiritual darkness.

But interest, positive or negative, was seen even on Yahoo’s home page recently when “Tebowing” was on the top ten items “Trending” after the victory on January 8th in Denver. The audience watching the game topped American Idol, and Twitter numbers went berserk when the winning touchdown pass was thrown. And perhaps Tim has taken his now famous and imitated stance queue from the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:14-15. “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” But despite being constantly made fun of on numerous media sources nationwide, the Christian quarterback has become one of the most compelling and inspiring stories in sports and non-sports America.

A few days ago, a caller spoke to the local New York sports station and asked a simple, but profound, question concerning Tebow bashing. He basically said, "I’m the dad of several children. And I’d just like to know one thing. Why is it that other football players are treated differently? Brett Farve sent inappropriate pictures of himself on his cell phone. Michael Vick went to prison for illegal dog fighting, Plaxico Burress was imprisoned for firing a gun in a club in New York city. And even Tebow’s QB rival on Sunday has been repeatedly accused of sexual harassment. And yet these, and many others like them, are only spoken of concerning their football skills - period. But Mr. Tebow, who seems to be above reproach and a man of great and consistent faith, is ripped to shreds no matter what he does on the field and just for being a committed and outspoken follower of Jesus Christ. Can you explain that to me as a fan and father looking for role models for my kids?”

The program’s normally highly intense and fast talking program hosts were uncharacteristically tongue-tied for a few moments as the articulate and polite caller had backed them into an appropriate corner with his comments and question.

There is no doubt that some of the Broncos comebacks during Tebow’s 7-1 winning run seemed ‘miraculous’ as did the record setting victory over Pittsburgh. But what did not escape even many of the godless in the media was that Tebow, who does not throw nearly as much as other NFL quarterbacks, threw for an uncharacteristic 316 yards on just 10 passes. The 30 yards per catch average was also a record. But the number of yards got attention beyond being just an impressive and unexpected statistic Denver’s new QB.

It was not very long before people realized the significance of the exact number of passing yards from Tebow. John 3:16 is one of his favorite Bible verses and perhaps the most famous verse for salvation in all of Scripture. It states: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." This same verse was the one that Tim Tebow put on his black eye-glare-blocking strip for the BCS championship game in 2009 for the University of Florida. A coincidence? You decide.

No one can predict Tim Tebow’s future on the field or any other player so young for that matter. Everyone who knows football knows that quarterbacks take several years to get their acts together when they enter the pro realm. The complexities of their position and the much higher level of the competition makes this the norm. Most organizations give them at least 3 years to improve and mature before making any long-term plans – unless of course your name is Tim Tebow. Those who detest him, and his faith, expect from only from him immediate miraculous results. But when he delivers just that, they get even more irritated. Something is obviously wrong and it takes no brain surgeon to figure out what it is.

But one thing is certain. Tim Tebow seems to be the ‘real deal’ - a role model in word and deed when many are that in just word and bank accounts only. God has given him a platform and he is using it to the ultimate for his Savior’s glory no matter what people think, say, or do. And his spiritual future, something infinitely more important than a few glory years on the gridiron, is certain. This eternal destiny is certain, not because he threw 316 or 3,016 yards in a record-setting overtime playoff game win. But it is because he has personally acted through faith on the reality revealed in John 3:16 and is not ashamed to boldly admit it and live it! He is a living modern example of Peter’s words in his first epistle chapter three.
  
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15) This, too, is the major thrust of  “Tebowing”.

Bill Breckenridge