DARK?

Another Superhero movie is coming, just in time for Christmas (the time of the year that celebrates the advent of the real SUPERHERO). The current celluloid arrival is Mr. Bond (again) in Quantum of Solace opening in a couple of weeks here in the US.

Quite interesting to see how “dark” these superheroes have become in their latest avatars. (Or should I say “gray?”) First it was Spider-Man (Spider-Man 3) last year. Then Batman this summer. In fact, that one was actually called The Dark Knight. While the thirst for Superheroes keeps the box office rolling, apparently you can’t be a “real” superhero unless you’ve got some grayness/darkness in you.

Now, of course, that is understandable. After all, Parker, and Wayne, and Bond are only human. And the Bible makes it clear that there is no one of that species without a dark side.

“There is none righteous, not even one;
… there is none who does good,
there is not even one."
Romans 3:10, 12

Sure, these superheroes are fallible and come packaged with warts (and acne and moles—and I do know a thing or two about these).

But what a relief that our SUPERHERO, the Lord Jesus Christ, is impeccable, blemishless, sinless!

For it was fitting for us
to have such a high priest,
holy, innocent, undefiled,
separated from sinners
and exalted above the heavens ….
Hebrews 7:26

The only SUPERHERO to perform the greatest act of rescue ever! Period! And the only One who did it once for all. Complete. Total. Final. For our sin. Washing it all away! Healed! Redeemed! Saved! SUPERHERO, indeed!

… He Himself bore our sins
in His body on the cross,
so that we might die to sin
and live to righteousness;
for by His wounds you were healed.
1 Peter 2:24

While Parker, and Wayne, and Bond, and even Kent, never perish in their annals (at least not as far as we have been told; their demise would certainly not help Hollywood’s bottom line!), our SUPERHERO did die!

For God has not destined us for wrath,
but for obtaining salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died, so that whether
we are awake or asleep,
we will live together with Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:9–10

This “high priest” made the ultimate sacrifice for us—Himself—dying on the cross.

… Christ … gave Himself up for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God
as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:2

And this sacrifice, unlike the altruistic and philanthropic activities of the rest of the clay-footed Superheroes, was motivated by an incomparable love—divine and excelling all other loves.

But God demonstrates
His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

The amazing love of God, experienced by all who put their trust in Christ as Savior, believing that He died on the cross for their sin, and that He rose from the dead to live forever.

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish,
but have eternal life.
John 3:16

And so in this impeccable SUPERHERO we put our trust. To Him we go often. For …

… we do not have a high priest who
cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,
but One who has been tempted
in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore let us draw near
with confidence to the throne of grace,
so that we may receive mercy and
find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15–16

Pure SUPERHERO!