Who’s Your Favorite Superhero?
As a child growing up, I had tons of superheroes that I enjoyed watching on TV and in movies. Their character arcs were always so compelling. In the case of Batman, his parents were murdered when he was very young, causing Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, to become an orphan. Fast forward, he created high-tech gadgets to help him fight crime. Batman was constantly coming to the aid of others and saving people from evil villains.
Superman is one of my all-time favorite superheroes. His backstory is that Kal-El, also known as Superman, came from a planet that was destroyed. Before its destruction, his parents were able to send him to Earth. Superman was then adopted into a loving family. Fast forward, and he too began saving humanity and protecting people from evil villains.
The growing phenomenon of Marvel and X-Men characters has captivated audiences around the world. Each character has a unique backstory that draws people in. These superheroes take on the burden of saving humanity countless times from ruthless villains. Some of these villains possess supernatural powers capable of destroying all of humanity.
In the Avengers movie, Iron Man sacrificed himself to complete a task that would result in his death. Iron Man chose to lay down his life so the world could live. This brave and heroic act shocked fans and left many in tears over the loss of their beloved superhero. People admired the selfless bravery, honor, and sacrifice demonstrated by the character.
As time goes on, we read about and witness real-life people performing heroic acts for those they love and even for complete strangers. One core memory that has stayed with me is a story I read about a little girl who needed a blood transfusion or she would die. She was very young, and her brother happened to be the perfect match. The doctor told the little boy that he could save his sister's life by donating his blood. The little girl lay near death, critically injured in an automobile accident. She desperately needed a blood transfusion, but no one could be found who matched her rare blood type. In the midst of their frantic search, the doctors discovered that the child's seven-year-old brother, Kevin, had the right type of blood.
One of the doctors sat down with Kevin and talked quietly with him.
"Your sister is very sick, son," he said, "and if we don't help her, she's not going to live. I want to know... are you willing to give your blood to help your baby sister?"
Kevin, pale with fear, seemed to struggle with his answer. But after a few moments, he said softly, "Yes, I will."
The little boy watched sadly and silently as his blood flowed from his arm through the tube.
"We're almost finished," the doctor smiled encouragingly.
Kevin's eyes filled with tears.
"How long until I die?" he whispered.
Looking at him in astonishment, the doctor realized that Kevin thought he had been asked to give all of his blood to save his sister.
The brave little boy believed that his act of mercy would cost him his life.
Yet he was willing to do it.
— Bill Bright
With stories like these, how is it that some of the very people Jesus created reject His heroic act to save us all? We are moved to tears when we see people sacrifice their lives for others, yet the One who died in our place on a cross meant for the villains receives little compassion from the world. Many mock His life and blaspheme His holy name.
Have you ever wondered why it is so easy for people to say "Jesus Christ" as a curse word or expression of disgust? Yet no other deity or little "g" god's name is treated so casually. The very name that deserves all praise is often used in profanity. Our hearts should overflow with loving emotion when we reflect on what Jesus did on Calvary.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." — John 3:16 (ESV)
How is it that these heroic stories are often lifted higher than the One who died for our transgressions? The world spends millions of dollars glorifying fictional characters. On one side, you have Iron Man choosing to sacrifice his life for the world. The audience gasps and becomes emotional over a fictional storyline. On the other side stands the boy born in a manger who died a gruesome death to save humanity. Iron Man is celebrated, while Jesus is rejected.
Your superhero may wear an iron suit and shoot lasers. Your superhero may harness the power to control metal. Your superhero may be telepathic. My Superhero has infinite power. He walks on water, causes the blind to see, heals lepers, and raises the dead. And He is REAL!
The world is looking for a superhero, but it already has one.
The one and only Jesus Christ—the Savior of our souls, the Redeemer of our lives, the sacrificial Lamb who was slain for our sins. He is the Holy of Holies.
Our Savior's backstory is unlike any other. He lived a sinless life, taught the masses about the Kingdom of Heaven, showed us how to love one another and be ambassadors for God's Kingdom, and performed miracle after miracle—so many that not all of them could be recorded in Scripture. He willingly laid down His life to reconcile us to our Heavenly Father.
When I hear and read the Bible, which tells the story of our King Jesus and all that He has done for us, I am compelled to shout His name and share the Good News with others.
You don't need a superhero created to appeal to the fandom of people. Christ-followers, when someone asks you who your favorite superhero is, that is your opportunity to introduce them to the Great I AM.
We need to share the story of Christ, who shed His blood so that we could have eternal life and live with Him forever. Hallelujah! Our true Superhero lives, and He is coming back with all power and glory!
Amen.
