3:16 Mere Coincidence?

Is there anyone who does not know who Tim Tebow is? Perhaps they weren't watching TV at all during 2009 when he was wearing John 3:16 under his eyes. (He doesn't wear it anymore since the NFL banned the practice of daubing such personal messages.)

But surely everyone knows what 'tebowing' is! Tim Tebow, the evangelical Christian - whose dramatic sideline praying on one knee has even spawned the phrase 'tebowing' - churned out some timely 3-16s in his team's big playoff win over Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

Most notable, Tebow threw for a season-high 316 yards and set an NFL record with 31.6 yards per completion. The Quarter Back sent fans into a frenzy after he capped off his work on the Lord's day by tossing the winning touchdown on the first play in overtime.

For the record, John 3:16 reads:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Tebow didn't appear to note any 3:16 connection, at least not immediately, although he did carry on with his practice of praising the Lord in opening remarks to the media after the game: "First and foremost, I just want to thank my lord and savior, Jesus Christ. He's done so much in my life."

Now as I ponder this, I wonder if this was only a coincidence? Christians normally believe there is no such thing as mere coincidence in God's world. What do YOU think?

2012 April Lorier Perspective