My Hero

My daughter has told me many times that I am her hero. When I hear those words have

two opposing emotions: one of warmth, joy, and pride, and the other of fear of disappointment for I am a sinner saved by grace, and I will at some time probably fail her.

In the last few decades there has been an attack on heroes, from historical figures to movie characters.  The reputations of Christopher Columbus, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, just to mention a few have, been smeared by revisionists digging up dirt and overemphasizing their meager findings.

Today’s TV characters are no exception. For example: in two popular shows: Dexter and Blacklist, one hero is a serial killer and the other a strange, mysterious con man, but both are likable and gain the viewer’s sympathies.

Jesus also is often misrepresented as a hero. When you think of him what do you see? A good looking blond hair blue eyed man that we all see in the Jesus picture? A Leo Dicapro type as in Titanic? Or a Mel Gibson type as in Braveheart?

When I read the book of Matthew I see a bold and fearless leader. Though he healed the sick, fed the hungry, and gave hope, life and a future to all that followed him, he also kicked over tables.  He was ruthlessly honest and stood up to the religious leaders calling them liars, hypocrites, and a brood of vipers. When challenged he wasn't politically correct but destroyed their arguments with his impeccable insightful apologetic skill. 

Recently I read the book,” 7 Men”, a story of seven men who in their greatness made a huge impact on their world for good: true heroes. These Christian men all had a common thread to their greatness; they all were willing to lay down their lives for Biblical truth. One of the men profiled was Jackie Robinson. 

One day the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Branch Rickey, called for a young black man named Jackie Robinson to play for his team.  He would be the first black man to break the 1940s whites-only color barrier in baseball—if he was able to make it. Only a man with supernatural discipline could accomplish that goal. He would face an enormous amount of abuse both verbal and physical: being called nigger boy, having his feet stepped on while coming to base, not being able to eat in white only places with his team, or riding the bus with them, not to mention the verbal abuse from the stands.

During the interview Rickey told Jackie, “I know you’re a good ballplayer…What I don’t know is whether you have the guts”… I’m looking for ballplayers that have enough guts not to fight back”. Rickey was a Christian man who saw the injustice against the black community and was willing to do something about it, and Jackie was a Christian who through God’s strength and Christ likeness paved the way for all men to play baseball.

Jesus was his hero.

He is also my hero. He alone puts up with my faults, sins, and inconsistencies, yet instructs disciplines and leads me to his loving, healing presence. He alone never fails and desires to use me in helping the lost see the life-giving truth.

One day he is coming back, but this time on a white horse with eyes like a flame of fire, along with the armies of heaven (Revelations 19:11-14). 

So who is your hero?