My Super Hero
Good Morning Friends,
Fighting for truth, justice and the American way is what Superman is about. Wolverine is about being the best at what he does. Spiderman believes there is a hero in each of us and that with great power comes great responsibility. Captain America fights bullies. For the Thing is was about clobbering and for the Incredible Hulk smashing.
The Shadow questioned the evil in men’s hearts. Batman had anger that outweighed his guilt and Robin was always talking about Holy this and holy that. Iron Man faced his own personal demons, with a smile, while seeking both fear and respect from others.
All of them have issues and all are fictional characters. But Jesus is real and the issue is not him but us. His power is in love and forgiveness…a power he shares… and that is why when I accept God’s love, Jesus becomes My Super Hero.
Scripture: In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NRSV)
looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrew 12:2 (NRSV)
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33 (NIV)
Message: Growing though ones fears and learning to trust is the story line and character development of most superheroes. They do have a lot of growing to do emotionally… even the ones that stretch. We see this issue turned on its head in today’s scriptures, especially in the miracle of the walking on water. Here there is a deep message that is also in the miracle of the resurrection. So what are we to make of the man who walks on water….this man who defies death? The consequences of our decision amounts to whether we stay in the boat or step out in faith. Here we learn what it takes to be a Christian Hero sharing the message of reconciliation where spirit and nature are joined in obedience. Here in the power that allowed Jesus to walk on water and endure the cross and control the storms and the power that created the universe, we see nature in perfect servitude. It is perfect and is manifested even now in our every movement and thought that is joined with God’s will. Friends this is the source of nature and the spirit’s reconciliation. Take courage in the miracle of life. Take joy in the miracle of Jesus….fully man and fully God….the judge of all creation.
Pray we step out in faith. Pray we not be afraid. Pray we believe in God’s word. Pray we commit to God’s will. Pray we be devoted to God’s work. Pray we are obedient not to our nature but to the spirit of Christ in us. Pray our faith is transformed into action.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 