From Superman to Peter pan, from Marvel to Disney, from comic books to movies… we live in a modern, evolving world, where heroes are imagined as having incredible powers, amazing tales and the ability to incinerate danger. However, the idea of a ‘true hero’ stems much deeper than superficial, fictional characters. Demonstrating qualities such as determination, compassion, honesty, sacrifice and humility, a hero can be born in the most unlikely of people. They may not necessarily rescue the ‘damsel in distress’, but will go above and beyond, selflessly doing everything in their power to achieve justice and do what it right. It comes as no surprise that the name of Jesus Christ, commonly deemed the hero of the Catholic religion, is brought to the forefront when this topic is discussed. For Christians and non-Christians alike, he was a revolutionary with an unparalleled effect on culture around the world as we know it. Even Martin Luther King Jr, renowned American civil rights leader stated: “Jesus Christ was an extremist for love, truth and goodness” (Smart and Relentless, 2015). Displaying the qualities of sacrifice, humility and compassion, Jesus was a spiritual leader like no other. The reach of his influence was unbound, touching the lives of people all around the world and shaping a legacy that is honored centuries later. This proves, that he, above all, deserves the title of hero.
The enduring power of Jesus’s heroism is displayed through his sacrifice. One of the single most famous symbols of all time, recognized by Christians and non-Christians alike, is the image of Jesus nailed to a cross. Such symbolism, metaphorical meaning and history is present in the portrayal of that figure… a universal representation of sacrifice. As famous Australian Actor Mel Gibson states, “When you look at the reasons why Christ came, why He was crucified – He died for all mankind, He suffered for all mankind” (Jesus Central, n.d). Jesus completed a heroic act like no other when he sacrificed himself and died on the cross to save us all. For all the goodness that he tried to evoke, for all the lessons and teachings that he tried to provide during his time on Earth, Jesus was met with criticism, contradiction and condemnation. As the Gospel of Matthew outlines, Jesus was mocked and humiliated by the very soldiers who were sent to crucify him. “The governor’s soldiers took Jesus… twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ they said” (Matthew 27: 27-30). However, Jesus took the beatings, endured the pain and suffering, and ultimately drew his last breath, knowing that his legacy would inspire a better world. He did this for even those who didn’t follow, respect or believe in him, giving humanity in its entirety a chance to repent of its sins. The fact that his name is still worshipped thousands of years later, only seeks to show how powerful and profound his selfless act was. In fact, Jesus’s death was largely responsible for the formation of the Christian faith. Good Friday, the day of his crucifixion, is remembered all around the world, where we reflect on the heroic nature of Jesus. As John 15:13 provides, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”. Jesus had such a strong faith in the goodness of humanity and in the children of God, that he put the needs of others before his own. Doing this in the face of adversity, even for those who were against him, portrays the true heroism of Jesus.
It was also the compassion of Jesus that made him a hero. Jesus reached out to the ‘outcasts’ of his time – people with sickness and disease, even blindness, who were shunned from society and deemed as ‘cursed’ or ‘unclean’. By association, helping these outsiders meant that Jesus himself suffered adversity. However, as a true hero would, he fought tirelessly to extend his hand to those in need, recognizing that all of humanity, regardless of social status or wealth, deserved the same level of care and compassion. The Bible is filled with stories of Jesus’s miraculous healing powers – ranging from fever to paralysis to deafness and dumbness. However, one example, particularly significant, was the healing of a blind man on the Sabbath (John 9: 1-41). This was a story of a blind beggar who called to Jesus to have pity on him. While the other bystanders overlooked him, Jesus simply said: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9: 5). He then spat on the ground, made some paste with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. Upon washing it off, the beggar could see. This was an incredible feat, an unexplainable miracle that exemplified Jesus’s compassion and empathy. He had a divine understanding of equality and through his miracles, tried to communicate the power of human dignity, regardless of social hierarchy, health or ability. Through using his gifts to heal others, help others and bring about positive social change, Jesus proved that he rightly deserves the title of ‘hero’.
It was also the humility of Jesus enabled him to be a pure and honest hero. Often with power comes corruption. As a leader, Jesus never let power distract his attention from inspiring righteousness. He always had a modest, humble view of his importance and sought to inspire others through servant leadership. This meant that it was natural for him to put others first, to help and serve, rather than being consumed by pride or self-importance. The humility and servanthood of Jesus is represented in the Bible, John 13, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples during the last supper. Often, in old tradition, a servant would wash the feet of the guests, particularly before a meal. Therefore, Jesus’ act was that of a servant, shocking disciples with his humility. Once he was finished, he stated: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13: 15-17). This quote displays Jesus’ humility, where through his teaching, he would nurture good will and patiently show his disciples how to spread his message of love and selflessness. Jesus epitomized the message: ‘A true hero recognizes the rights of others’. To lead without commanding, to gain followers without fear, to become a hero without pride. That was the legacy Jesus left… still revered today in the twenty-first century by both Christians and non-Christians alike, showing the power in his actions and the heroism in his deeds.
Mother Theresa, an iconic peace figure, once said: “Christ, who being rich became poor and emptied Himself to work out our redemption, calls us: to share in His poverty so that we might become rich” (Jesus Central, n.d). Jesus guided his teachings through servant leadership… exhibiting compassion, sacrifice and humility. These ideologies enabled him to be a kind, honest and pure leader, a hero and inspiration for those who knew of him and those who learnt of his ways. Jesus left a legacy that continues to inspire and influence people universally, shaping the Christian tradition and influencing a humanitarian view amongst even those who do not follow a Christian faith. He may not wear a cape, mask or a shiny suit, but he was a hero in many more ways than movies or novels could depict. No greater sacrifice was made, no greater love shown and no greater teaching instilled than what Jesus accomplished. He was a hero – the greatest hero – and will be glorified for centuries to come. His heroism is etched into history for all time.
Bibliography
Smart and Relentless, 2015. “Find Out What These Famous History Makers Had to Say About Jesus”, https://smartandrelentless.com/find-out-what-these-famous-history-makers-had-to-say-about-jesus-christ/ (16/08/19).
Jesus Central, (n.d). “Famous People Describe Jesus”, https://www.jesuscentral.com/ji/life-of-jesus-modern/jesus-famous.php (18/08/19)