Superman was my boyhood hero. I watched the television show, read the comics, and with a bright red towel strapped around my neck, I loved to pretend to be the man of steel. I was most impressed by his super powers: “faster than a speeding bullet, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” The bad guys would shoot him but the bullets bounced harmlessly off his chest. He was the greatest.
Jesus and Superman
Being raised in a Christian home, I thought Jesus was pretty neat too. Jesus seemed to have super powers like Superman. He walked on water, healed people, and even raised the dead. I was pretty sure Jesus had X-ray vision and could fly too. As a boy it was important to have a superhero, someone who had the power to make the bad go away. It’s not that different when we grow up. Many are attracted to Jesus today for the same reason they were in his day. It’s pretty neat to follow someone with the power to make the bad go away.
I outgrew my hero worship of Superman, but not of Jesus. Jesus’ power to heal and do miracles still amazes me, but I’ve grown to see other powers that amaze me even more. Superman once impressed me because he was invulnerable; Jesus impresses me now because he was not. It’s not hard to step in front of bullets when you know they will bounce off. Jesus stepped in front of them knowing they would not. I’m glad Jesus has the power today to make all the bad go away. But I’ve become more thankful for his power at the cross when the bad stayed. Jesus provides the power for whatever comes.
Which Is More Powerful?
Which is more powerful—to stand and say “Peace, be still” to the winds and waves, or to kneel and pray, “Thy will be done” to God? Which is more amazing—to walk on water, or to stumble up Calvary? Which took greater strength—to shout, “Lazarus, come forth!” or to groan, “Father, forgive them”?
