What the New England Patriots and Satan Have in Common

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bradyNote: This post’s first half is tongue-in-cheek, folks. If we can’t have a sense of humor in the comments section, I’ll be throwing penalty flags on you. Because heaven knows they won’t be thrown on the Patriots.

I personally suspect that it might be amongst the lowest-rated Super Bowls in NFL history. I’m writing this several hours before kickoff, so I don’t know if this prediction is true as you’re reading this. But it’s my guess.

And not just because of this year’s well-intended but broad and self-defeating player protests, though that’s part of it.

No, it’s because it’s the Patriots.

Again.

Partially because we tire of seeing the same team year after year. Tire of the same fawning drool from the talking heads. Tire of people saying that (your NFL team here) should cut all their players after their first contracts because raawwrrr let’s be cutthroat like New England. Sure. That’s exactly why they win. *eyeroll*

Partially because we all know what’s coming. The Patriots will enter the 4th quarter trailing by two scores and win without breaking a sweat, because thirty NFL teams haven’t yet learned NOT to field soft prevent defenses against them in the 4th quarter. Fans know it. Analysts know it. New England knows it. The Giants knew it, fortunately for our sanity. But thirty NFL teams don’t.

Partially because some of us believe (or, like Fox Mulder, want to believe) in the conspiracy theory that NFL referees favor the Patriots because it’s “best for the game”.

Maybe. Indulge me: every time a commercial uses game footage to sell a TV or broadcast package, what kind of play is shown? A defensive play? A running back? Don’t make me laugh. It’s a ground-perspective shot of a dramatic leaping catch in the corner of the end zone. That’s what sells. And nobody produces more of those plays than Pats quarterback Tom Brady.

But this is why I’ll really be more interested in talking with friends (or maybe watching paint dry, that’s always good) during the game: the Patriots haven’t always played by the rules.

Yep. I went there. Tom Brady, futzer of footballs, deleter of SMS evidence. Bill Belichick, videotaper of opposing team practices. Or at least he makes a great scapegoat.

And that’s why I don’t need to get worked up over it (too late?)…because their reputation is already sealed.

Though Brady and Belichick are the best tandem ever to play the game, those scandals ensure they’ll never get according respect. That’s already decided. I can just relax and enjoy a mineral water in my sunchair (if I had a sunchair, or a mineral water) because no matter how many rings they win, there will always be an asterisk next to their names in people’s minds.

And in the end, no matter how many hip replacements Tom Brady has before he finally retires at age 67 (now there’s a deflating thought), he can’t be on the stage forever.

/bitterrant

It’s the same with Satan.

I believe Satan exists. I believe he messes with us, because we are the creation of the God he hates. I believe he’s enough of a threat to merit the flashing warning of 1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

But at the end of the day, I believe his fate is sealed. Scripture has declared it.

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. (1 John 3:8b)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14)

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:20)

No soft defenses here. One greater than Satan is holding the lead entering this 4th quarter, and he will not blow it. For the Christian, Jesus alone holds life and death. We are in his hands.

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be harmed by the second death. (Revelation 2:11)

No matter what we suffer in this life, no matter what losses we endure, no matter what sorrow we must undergo in the night (including Patriots games), joy will come in God’s morning.

So, though we must be alert and sober, though we will sometimes grieve, we can also have peace. Satan’s doom is decided. His work will be destroyed. His illicit dominion will end. He will never gain the throne he seeks. Someone else is already on it. He will be ours, and we his, forever.

Enjoy the game today.

But enjoy hope even more.

13 thoughts on “What the New England Patriots and Satan Have in Common”

  2. So, just curious about what the Eagles and believers have in common. Or did you listen to the after-game interviews on the field. Seems every one chosen for an interview gave glory to Jesus. Hmmm, so, does that mean the Holy Spirit was affirming your early simile? Oooo, borders on the prophetic! The game wasn’t nearly as exciting as this. By the way, how do the people of Philadelphia fit into this? Perhaps the nations which, after 1,000 years of being ruled by Jesus, still follow Satan? Never really understood that one. Silly nations. I think mobs reduce the intelligence of the participants exponentially to their number, or proportionately anyway.

    Anyway, thanks for the post. Reading it after the game was very entertaining, and, while you didn’t predict the outcome, you predicted what the Eagles had to do right at the end. I just think a Jesus-following struggling NFL QB overcoming the experienced loud-mouth bragging arrogant QB was biblical to an astounding degree. I loved it for that as much as anything else. Perseverance, determination, honor, resilience, and fortitude were great, but faithfulness, a godly perspective, and reliance upon Jesus were what made the game for me. Good one Eagles! Not so impressed by the Philadelphia mob, but, their team was amazing.

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      • Dang, I missed that. I was multitasking, but heard the praise of Jesus. Sounds like Brady though. They both played great games, but divine favor went to Foles. Grace and mercy, because it could have been different. The Eagles surprised everyone with how tough they played. But we all know that’s not always what it takes. Thanks for the post, and reminder that the game ain’t over ’til God blows the whistle.

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  5. I’m not sure if Rams QB Jared Goff is a Christian but hopefully God is on his side next Sunday. Interesting point made in this blog about self absorbed Tom Brady who has never given glory for his success to anyone but himself. Funny that he never ages, something you would expect from a spawn of Satan who has sold his soul to the devil for 5 Super Bowl rings and world wide acclaim. And if you were looking for someone to play the part of the Great Deceiver could you do any better then Pats coach Bill Belichick? He looks like the devil incarnate and also does not appear to recognize any higher power then himself. There is something diabolical about what has gone in New England these past 2 decades and don’t even get me started on their obnoxious rich owner Bob Kraft who turns my stomach more then his rancid mac n cheese. I can’t wait until the bill comes due and the earth opens up and swallows all of Foxboro Mass. Every call, every bad coaching decision (you do realize that the Pats should be on a 5 game Super Bowl losing streak if their opponents knew how to coach) every little white wide receiver that couldn’t start anywhere else becomes a star with Lucifer… I mean Tom Brady throwing passes to them and I’m only half kidding. There is something going on in New England. Maybe we should see if they float and if not burn them at the stake. Better yet, I hope the team that started this mess, the then way over confident St Louis Rams, can finally put a stop to it. The nation that rallied around them so many years ago in the wake of 9/11 because they were the Patriots and wore red, white and blue demands it. Powers and Principalities demand it. Well hell, heaven itself demands it! Enough already! The Patriots dynasty started with a bad call (the infamous tuck rule) and the rest has been a living hell for this country and football loving fans everywhere outside of New England. Go God! Go Rams! Aren’t there reverences to rams all over the Bible? Good start!

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  6. Had to laugh all the way through the first part and amen the second. Brady and Belichick are annoying, but dont forget Romo, king of the dump passes. (When you through a penalty flag at someone, could you record it? It would be fun to see. Lol) Thanks for the laugh today. I needed it. 😊

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