Modern day superheroes
Judging by the way people flock to movies featuring superheroes lifted from popular graphic novels (good old-fashioned comic books), I would say we are a culture enamored with such heroes.
Iam equally convinced, however, that we are drawn to these movies not just because they are cool action flicks loaded with special effects that wow even the most demanding audience, but even more importantly because they raise crucial questions about good and evil, place characters in situations in which choices must be made about saving the world or saving themselves, and always leave the movie goer painfully aware that there is a high price to be paid every time we decide to do the right thing.
Come to think of it, the life of a superhero is very much like the life of a person of faith ~ that is, of one seeking to live out his or her beliefs day by day in a world where all sorts of things and people are constantly vying for our attention and allegiance. No wonder, then, that when well-intentioned people approached Jesus and announced “I will follow you wherever you go,” Jesus responded in ways that most of us would consider far from encouraging. He reminded them that foxes had holes and birds of the air had nests, but the Son of Man had nowhere to lay his head. When some indicated they would follow him but first needed to bury a loved one, Jesus’ response was anything but empathetic: “Let the dead bury their own dead.” And when other wouldbe followers told him they would be on board as soon as they said goodbye to their family members, Jesus pronounced them unfit for the kingdom of God.
Why was Jesus so harsh in responding to potential followers, to those who wanted to access his power and be superheroes with him? He wanted them to understand right up front that following him would require making the commitment of a lifetime. The path he had chosen, and invites us to choose, is not for the faint of heart. It is definitely not a cake walk and there are no part-time, seasonal options available. It is all or nothing. We cannot hide away at home or use our daily obligations as an excuse for not doing the hard work of great things for God.
The words of a familiar older hymn come to mind: “I have decided to follow Jesus . . . no turning back, no turning back. Though none go with me, I will follow . . . The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back, no turning back.” Those resolute words are attributed to a new convert to Christianity in northern India two centuries ago ~ a convert who, along with his wife and children, was killed because of his refusal to renounce his new-found faith.
Regardless of which faith we may choose to follow, few of us think in terms of having to sacrifice our very lives for our beliefs, yet such a price was not uncommon for early believers and still is not uncommon in some parts of our world today. If we want to access the power God offers, the price is high indeed, but so is the reward. Will we falter along the way, want to give up, give in or perhaps even turn back? We will, but when those feelings come, we are reminded that the One who sets the bar high for following is also the One who shows us the way, and promises to never abandon or forsake us. We are able to do the thing we think we cannot do because we do not do it alone. The world’s greatest superhero will always be the source of our strength and our hope. May we dare to align ourselves with Him and use well the power that has been entrusted to our care.