Superheroes are all the rage these days. They’re winning at the box office with blockbuster movies like “Wonder Woman,” “Black Panther” “Aquaman” and yet another new episode in the Spiderman series. Older superheroes like Superman and Batman remain tremendously popular too.
With Christmas approaching, the aisles of toy stores and toy departments are lined with superhero kitsch, mainly over-hyped, over-priced superhero-themed stuff that will make the kiddies giggle on Christmas morning and eventually be tossed into a corner with a dozen similar forgotten toys. Superhero figures also fill the pages of comic books; some of these books are sold for incredible amounts of money—literally worth their weight in gold.
Many adults and kids alike are attracted to these imaginary superheroes, yet they pay little attention to a real superheroes in their midst. This superhero is powerful. He is fearless and always defeats his many enemies. He never makes mistakes. He can’t be outsmarted. He never tells a lie. He is a clear thinker and never loses his cool. Millions of people have purchased figurines of the real superhero.
So far the real superhero sounds about the same as the imaginary ones doesn’t he? However, there are really many differences between my superhero and the imaginary ones.
Unlike the imaginary superheroes, my superhero isn’t handsome. According to one writer, there’s nothing about his appearance one would find particularly attractive. The same writer described my superhero as a sad man. He doesn’t sound very exciting or charismatic does he?
My superhero did the unthinkable. He surrendered to the enemy! Only a short time after his surrender he was violently put to death and buried in a tomb. End of story? Not quite!
My superhero has performed many miracles. He turned plain water into wine and controls all of nature. He gives sight to the blind and makes the lame walk again. He can control the wind and the sea, calming storms and raging waves. He can walk on water.
Headline: Man surrenders himself in exchange for hostages. Billions saved!
Yes, my superhero surrendered to the enemy, but it was done voluntarily. He freely sacrificed himself to free billions of hostages. He was put to death by the enemy, but he rose from the dead after three days and now lives forever. He has already raised men from the dead and will raise many more in the future.
My superhero doesn’t wear a mask, he wears a golden crown. He has been called the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and the Prince of Peace. He is Immanuel—God with us, fully man and fully God! His name is Jesus. During this period of Advent Christians around the world reflect on the promised return of their Savior. The book of Revelation describes him like this:
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. –Revelation 19:11-13 (NIV)
The first chapter of the Gospel of John tells us that Jesus, the “Word of God” is the author of all creation. All things were made by Him:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. –John 1:1-5 (NIV)
Darkness has never overcome my superhero and it never will. He cannot be defeated. Jesus sacrifice of himself defeated sin and death forever. Jesus offers redemption freely to those who claim him as savior. His story is told in this passage of the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through Him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
Now that’s what a real Superhero looks like!
…to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. –Revelation 1: 5b-6 (NIV)
Divine Simplicity 
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