image: http://www.wnd.com/images/headshots/tebowjohn316.jpg Florida quarterback Tim Tebow blazes New Testament verse of John 3:16 on his face last night as he led the Gators to the BCS National Championship |
“John 3:16” has appeared in various forms at nationally televised sporting events over the years, but after University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow inscribed it on his eye black for last night’s BCS National Championship game, the biblical reference became the most popular search item on Google.com.
Google Trends this morning had “John 3:16” ahead of searches for actress Mary Lynn Rajskub and the Windows 7 beta download. Searches for the Bible verse reached a peak during last night’s game.
In previous games, Tebow, an outspoken evangelical Christian who was born to missionary parents in the Philippines, sported on his eye black Philippians 4:13, notes Christianity Today. The verse says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
The well-known verse John 3:16 is commonly presented as a summation of the Gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy last year as a sophomore, led the Gators to a 24-14 victory last night over the University of Oklahoma.