Last Night: Superheroes

Super Heroes Last Supper, by Michael Kozlov

Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:10-12

Movies based on comic book super heroes are very popular these days. Actually, they've always been popular, but starting with the Dark Knight movies, film makers have been trying to ground the comic book movies in a gritty realism, including humanizing the heroes.

For characters like Superman, humanizing is a difficult task. The Man of Steel has always been a larger than life character, almost god-like. He's always been a champion for justice and everything good and right, which doesn't always mix well with efforts to humanize him.

The trend now is toward movies that showcase groups of heroes, rather than individuals. The Avengers films are able to set up a comparison between what the god-like Thor can accomplish versus the down-to-earth Black Widow or Hawkeye. The sequel to Man of Steel puts that sort of contrast front and center, setting up Batman v. Superman.

I'm reminded of these super hero contrasts when I read Jesus' surprising statement to the disciples that "whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these." 

It's undeniable that Jesus was, and is, able to do far beyond anything we could imagine doing.

Jesus demonstrated the incredible power of God while here on earth. He's promising, though, that when he leaves, the Holy Spirit will put make power of God available within each Christian.

In Jesus, the divine character was shown in part through his perfect sinless life.  In us, though, the glory of God displays itself in spite of our weaknesses. Like Captain America, who was transformed from a weakling into a mightily strong hero, God's power is made perfect through our weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9).

Jesus was perfect.  He never sinned, he never failed in what he set out to do. We're not like Jesus in that regard. The Holy Spirit has taken up residence in thousands of flawed, sinful believers. In spite of having the Spirit of Jesus within us, we lose our temper, we get impatient, we grumble, we act rashly. And yet, God is able to use our flaws to demonstrate the magnificence of his grace. He's able to use even the most flawed among us, just like the Hulk manages to be a hero despite his failings.

Jesus spent three years traveling around Palestine on foot, teaching and helping the needy. His ministry was limited to an area less than 8,500 square miles and spanned only three short years. His people, the church, have been able to continue His ministry in every corner of the globe, for over two millenia. We're able to "go" much more rapidly than He and his disciples ever traveled, via cars, planes, and the like. We're also able to communicate instantly through the internet. Like the Flash, we're able to do Jesus-empowered ministry much more quickly than He ever was.

You may have a past as tortured as Bruce Wayne's. You may have physical limitations, like Aquaman's. You might even be a bit awkward, like Peter Parker. And yet, with the Holy Spirit inside, you can be on mission for God in ways that others can't, in places that Jesus Himself could not go.

Throw ya banner in the sky

Give it up for my superhero 

Show love for my superhero 

Gon' hold em real high 

You know that’s my superhero 

You know that’s my superhero 

Just throw ya banner in the sky 

Give it up for my superhero 

Show love for my superhero 

Gon' let his light shine 

You know that’s my superhero

Superhero, by KJ52