Last Train to Glory

I ain’t a man of constant sorrow

I ain’t seen trouble all day long

We are only passengers on the Last Train to Glory

That will soon be long, long gone.

It is time for Jackhammer to go on record and straighten out anyone who claims evangelical Christians are not the victims of ridicule and discrimination. The best example that readily comes to mind is quarterback Tim Tebow, who treated the Denver Broncos to a six-game winning streak towards the end of the 2011 NFL season.

There was much talk about this winning streak, which was publically dubbed “The Tebow Train.” Since being named Denver’s starting quarterback beginning with the team’s Week 7 game against Miami, Tebow compiled an 8-5 record, including the playoffs. Over and over, in six of those games, Tebow was able to orchestrate heroic game-winning drives in the fourth quarter and/or overtime… yet he continued to face constant criticism about his lack of ability. Worst of all, he became the subject of open, unchecked ridicule for his Christian faith… at one point he was even openly mocked with a skit on Saturday Night Live. Did you miss it? Let’s just say that the Jewish SNL writers decided it would be funny if Jesus Christ confronted Tebow in the locker room to claim His share of the credit for the Broncos’ gridiron victories.

Tebow is well-accustomed to mockery and ridicule. During his college days, Tebow frequently wrote references to biblical verses on his eye paint. In the 2009 BCS Championship Game, he wore John 3:16 on his eye black; consequently, Google reported over 90 million searches for “John 3:16” over the next 24 hours. What was the NCAA reaction? To issue an edict banning all messages on eye paint. Dubbed “The Tebow Rule,” all college players were henceforth prohibited from following suit.

Despite his amazing performance with the Denver Broncos, one the NFL’s most prestigious and desirable franchises, Tebow was given the boot at the end of the 2011 season. As a reward for his outstanding service, Tebow was traded to the N.Y. Jets – a team universally acknowledged to be the “suckiest” team in the football universe. As Brett Favre will tell you, the N.Y. Jets are the End of the Line.

So… has the Tebow Train reached the End of the Line? Not exactly. The Christians reading this already understand that winning football games is not the most important thing in Tim Tebow’s life. Tebow, you see, is riding a different kind of train… a train Arlo Guthrie called “The Last Train to Glory.” Tebow refuses to be ashamed of his devotion to Christ, probably because scripture makes it painfully clear that our faith must not remain hidden:

• But he that shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:33);

• For he that shall be ashamed of Me and My words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels (Mark 8:38);

• But he that shall deny Me before men shall be denied before the angels of God (Luke 12:9).

Friends, Jackhammer knows in his heart that Tebow is setting the right example… he is showing us The Path. Check your pockets right now and make sure you have your ticket for the Last Train to Glory, for Tebow continues to remind us that this is the only journey that really matters. If you want a ticket and do not have one, all you have to do is get on your knees and ask.

Please check out:   http://tebowing.com/