It has become nearly impossible in our current culture to avoid conversations, interactions, or some form of digital media revolving around "superheroes."
The internet describes a "superhero" as "a person who does heroic deeds and has the ability to do them in a way that a normal person couldn't."
That begs us to ask a couple of questions:
1. Does that person described exist?
2. Have we seen them before?
3. Is that really what makes a true superhero?
The simple answer to all three of these questions is actually - "Yes."
As we stated from the start, we see "superheroes" all around us in our culture, but only once was there a true superhero, as defined above.
Fictional Superheroes Are Everywhere!
Blockbuster companies Disney, Warner Brothers, and others are putting all their eggs in the superhero basket. Characters like Spider-Man, Batman, and Wonder Woman have become common knowledge in our current state of mind.
The market share for superhero films and shows has risen yearly, with The Marvel Cinematic Universe alone covering 30% of the entire domestic box office last year.
These characters fit the definition of a "superhero," yet they clearly would answer "no" to the first question - "Does the person described exist?".
Captain America gives us a great example of superheroic humility or Black Panther superheroic leadership, but unfortunately, neither has put on their suits in our world today.
What About Tom Brady, Serena Williams, or Steve Jobs?
These three names are near the top of a short list of people in our world, past or present, who have strapped up their suits, got to work, and accomplished things that most of us could only dream of doing.
Many of us grow up aspiring to be just like them, to change the world, and look at them as if they are super. Each of them leaves a legacy larger than life that they almost feel should be considered superheroes.
Let's take Tom Brady, for example - the odds of a high school football player making the NFL is 0.08%, let alone playing in 10 Superbowls and winning 7 of them!
But let's go back to question three from the beginning - "Is this really what makes you a true superhero?" To most of the world, the answer is clearly yes, but to us, we know Tom Brady can't take those seven championship rings to heaven, or Steve Jobs, the legacy of the iPhone.
So did a real superhero exist?
Yes! His name was Jesus!
Jesus left perfection in heaven, came to this earth while still fully God, and took on human form. He lived a life of perfection here, was seen by tens of thousands, and impacted millions.
And the good news that has been changing the world for the last 2000 years is that the entire second half of our Bible fully declares what Jesus, our superhero, did for us!
John 3:16 says, "This is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin so that we could be made right with God through Christ."
And Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done."
Jesus wasn't just a person with extraordinary powers; they were miraculous. He was still God, part of the trinity, who did heroic deeds in a way that an average person couldn't. No one has ever defeated death, risen again, and given all humanity the chance to live eternally in perfection with God. No one except Jesus, easily the most heroic human to step foot on this earth!
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Next time you open up your phone and see a post for the next superhero movie, a video of a fantastic new invention, or a score of the latest incredible performance, remember Jesus, the one and only true superhero.
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If you're interested in other articles or messages about Jesus, check out:
Trust Jesus and Love Others
A Personal Relationship with Jesus - Brett's Story
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