It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Superman! Have you heard that popular phrase before? Superheroes are incredibly popular in today’s society. With new comics, movies and TV shows coming out each week, the world has become captured by these amazing tales. They have incredible powers that defeat evil in miraculous ways.
However, these are just fun fictional characters that can’t really save us. As Christians, though, we understand that we do have a real-life superhero. We have someone that is always looking out for us. We know we have a superhero with Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the most powerful being in this universe, and nothing can stop Him. He is the world’s ultimate superhero, because there are no weaknesses or limitations that make Him imperfect. Jesus has everything we need in a superhero and more. He is described in scripture as: amazing, astounding, a miracle worker, healer, the Savior of the world, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, All Powerful, All Knowing, having power over creation, demons, diseases and even death!
I was fascinated by an article I read recently in Psychology Today entitled, “Why Jesus was a Hero to Billions.” It’s an excerpt from Dr. Scott Allen’s book “Why We Need Hero’s” he states, “Jesus was a Born Hero – In our studies of heroism, we have found that the “born hero” is a rare breed. Extraordinary situations typically bring out the heroes among us. But in every Sunday Christian service, and especially during the Christmas and Easter seasons, much of the world honors the most powerful story of the born hero in the western world. Being endowed with divine DNA makes Jesus an especially revered hero.”
Dr. Allen goes on to point out that, “Our research on heroes indicates that people especially honor heroes who experience pain and suffering during their heroic acts. The more that heroes suffer for their cause, the higher the pedestal on which we place them.”
Jesus Suffered On The Cross, making him an enduring hero.
The Romans made sure than anyone who died by crucifixion would suffer horrifically. Jesus was violently flogged before his crucifixion. Iron balls and sharp sheep bones were fastened near the ends of the whips. The iron balls caused deep bruising and the bones lacerated the skin. There was ample blood loss and Jesus’ level of pain would have put him a state of shock.
Jesus was then forced to carry the heavy cross to the crucifixion area, where his wrists and heels were nailed to the wooden beams. After hours of agony on the cross, Jesus would have succumbed to a combination of asphyxiation and blood loss.
“People admire the courage of a revolutionary. In his day Jesus was a rebel who violated Jewish customs and defied Roman law. Like Socrates of ancient Greece, Jesus could have spared his own life by offering some defense of the social disruptions he caused. But he did not.”
Jesus Died To Save Others
As Christians, we believe that Jesus died to save the world. The Gospels tell us that three days after he died, Jesus rose from the dead and 40 days later ascended to heaven. The story of the resurrection is a central part of Christianity because it signifies to that God approved of Jesus’ work on earth and that Jesus lives forever.
After Jesus died, many of his followers were burned, stoned, or crucified by Roman authorities. This persecution backfired. As martyrs, these Christians were the source of inspiration for millions of people who began practicing the Christian faith.
Jesus Transformed Society
Jesus was, and is, a transforming leader, inspiring people and elevating them to new levels of morality. Historian and author H. G. Wells wrote, “I am an historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.”
Jesus was a hero to people of his day and continues to change lives today which is why we are all still talking about him 2,000 of years later. This is why movies are made about Him, His life and His death. This is why billions of books, songs and works of art have been about Him and also why billions of people have declared to follow Him.
Join us in our new series starting on Easter, Hero to learn more about Jesus, the ultimate superhero. We’ll be digging into the book of Mark. Jesus the action hero is always in action; encouraging his followers, healing the hurting and returning in power! He calls on those who would follow him to be in action as well. Join our adventure in the book of Mark (the action gospel) to learn more about Jesus our true hero.
Darrell
Upwards Church 