Heroes
Movie blockbusters have become as much of an American summertime tradition as barbecues, baseball, and fireworks. This year is no different, as a wealth of big budget flicks have hit theaters, with a particular preponderance of super hero-themed films snatching many of the headlines and ticket sales. The latest Batman sequel called “The Dark Knight” is in position to become the highest grossing film of all time. Other heroes such as Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk have also made successful appearances this summer. Looking into the future, we should expect to see more of our favorite comic book heroes hit the silver screen. Plans are in the works to feature Captain America and other comic book characters in their own films, which will later culminate in an “Avengers” themed film that will feature multiple heroes all in one movie. For the fan of super hero films, the future looks very exciting.
|
|
America’s fascination with super heroes is intriguing. It would be simple to dismiss this fascination simply on the basis of entertainment value, or to relegate it to a child or adolescent preoccupation. However, box office receipts, video sales & rentals, and merchandising have proven that the appeal of the super hero is no particular respecter of demographics. Rather, super heroes maintain their long-held, wide appeal in our society, as the continuing trend in Hollywood affirms. Why? The answer provides insight into the state of our human condition.
Super heroes are symbols. Beyond their costumes, super powers, and even their flaws super heroes represent in tangible form the answer to the greatest of evils that exist in our world. They inspire, they deliver justice on behalf of the oppressed, and they provide hope for a better future. They stand up for the little guy and overcome the bullies of the world. They are super in light of their special powers, and heroes in their ability to rescue those who are powerless to save themselves. They are what mankind longs for – a Savior.
The trouble with super heroes, of course, is that they don’t really exist. The fleeting thrill we get from watching Batman triumph over the Joker, for example, leaves us feeling hollow and does nothing to actually help set the world right. Evil abounds everywhere, and a quick review of the daily headlines or a watch of the evening news reinforces this reality all too clearly in our consciousness. Reality relegates super heroes to nothing more than wishful thinking, an escapist’s existential solution to life’s most difficult problems.
If only super heroes were real…..
The deep longings of the human heart remain unchanged, century after century. We desire solutions to age-old issues such as hunger, genocide, tyranny, sickness & disease, and most of all, death. In super hero terminology, Death is mankind’s ultimate arch-enemy, and the rest of the world’s many ills are its minions. No comic book super heroes have solved any of these problems, even in their imaginary worlds. Yet when all seems lost, hope for mankind remains and is described in the pages of the Bible.
In Luke’s gospel, chapter 4 v. 18-19 Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” He then summarized in v. 21 by stating that “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” With this declaration, Jesus conveyed that the old order of the way things work in the world was passing away, and with his arrival a new order had broken in. The Kingdom of God was beginning to dawn, and God’s reign was being re-established in the world. Jesus’ miracles provided the evidence that the old rules no longer held any authority. The power that sin and evil held over mankind was fully defeated by Jesus’ death on the cross, and his resurrection provided the evidence that death did not have the final say over life, after all. This is why the apostle Paul called Jesus the “first fruits” of the dead, (1 Corinthians 15:20). In other words, Jesus was the first of many to come to experience the ultimate victory God has in store for all those who call him Lord. In Jesus’ resurrection, God reaffirmed his good creation and gave believers a glimpse of what to expect in the future when he will make all things new.
God’s kingdom continues to advance today, edging closer and closer to the moment when its consummation will be complete. On that day Jesus will return to Earth to establish his eternal throne, the dead in Christ will be raised to glorified everlasting life, heaven and earth will be renewed and rejoined, sin, suffering, and death will be no more, and God’s dwelling will once again be with man, forever.
In the meantime, we need not waste our time hoping for a super hero to come and save the day. Believers are equipped by the Spirit with everything they need to partake with God in his ongoing work of renewal, and we are charged with a mission to do exactly that. The ultimate answer to all of the great issues of our time is Christ, who is the long-awaited and hoped for Savior of the world. Our mission as his Body is to proclaim that message and to put it into action. Therefore, we are called to contend for justice, mercy, healing and restoration wherever the need for such things is found. When we feed the poor, clothe the naked, advocate for the oppressed, love the unloved, or stand up to the tyrant, God’s kingdom is advanced and we become the heroes our world is searching for.
July 14 2009 07:25 am | Uncategorized
