There’s something about a superhero story that grips straight at my heart. Maybe it’s the sad origin story. Maybe it’s that every day person stepping up and doing what’s right even when it’s not easy. Maybe it’s that complex relationship between the hero and villain. Maybe it’s the action scenes. Maybe it’s that daily sacrifice.
Perhaps, maybe, it’s because I see the complexity and brokenness all around me. Possibly, I need inspiration to do what’s right, what’s just, what’s best for all. Or maybe, it’s because I realize I need a hero. I will always fall short. My weakness is not kryptonite but my own selfishness. My fight is not against a super villain but my own sinful desire.
This need for a hero. This need for inspiration. This hope found through sacrifice. It all points to the Gospel.
The Origin Story
Every superhero has an origin story. Most begin with a tragedy pushing the hero into his role. Bruce Wayne’s parents died, and he was forced to confront his fear of bats. Clark Kent’s planet, his home, was destroyed and he was forced to find shelter on Earth. Others had huge chemical spills resulting in their powers (Hulk, Flash). Peter Parker was bitten by a spider and given powers. However, it was not until tragedy occurred that he understood how to use those powers.
Brokenness, death, and sickness surround us on a daily basis. However, when God designed the world, he said, “It was good.” And it was. Yet, God created humans with the ability to choose to love him back. He gave them one rule to follow, but man chose to do things his own way. And when he did, his eyes were opened to sin. And all of creation would suffer the effects of sin. Yes, there was a serpent tempting, but the action of actually disobeying is what caused the devastating effects of the origin story for mankind. The punishment for sin would be eternal separation from God… death…. spiritual death… just like God told them. But because He loved them so much, He made a way for man to be made right with Him.
God had a plan even before this tragedy occurred. He had planned to send a Hero, His own Son. He would live a perfect life, not deserving of the punishment of death, but endured a criminal’s death on a cross. He literally would take the punishment of death we all deserve. And then because death could not stop him, He rose from the dead defeating the enemy once and for all. Which gives us all the hope of eternal life.
This is the Origin Story of all creation. IN THE BEGINNING GOD…
All things were created in Him and through Him.
Sin entered the world with a crippling effect on all creation.
Death, disease, and brokenness fill the world.
The LIGHT of the World came to earth to redeem and restore all of creation back to its original intent. But people loved the darkness. They loved their sin because their hearts were for evil. Nonetheless, our HERO defeated the enemy, sin, once and for all. The HERO already won the battle for each person who believes and confesses Jesus as Lord.
THERE’s MORE… each believer is called to action as well. Each believer has an origin story as well. A moment in time when he/she realized he/she was a sinner and in need of a Savior. The moment you were saved, you were also made a new creation.
Take a moment to reflect on your origin story. When did you recognize your need for a Savior? How has your life changed since then?
Lord thank you for saving me. Thank you for redeeming me. Thank you for restoring my relationship with you and giving me a new purpose. Help me to glorify you in all that I do. You are worthy of all my praise. Let my life reflect that praise. In Jesus Name I pray.