Who’s “faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound?”
Superman! According to Jay Morton, who coined the phrase, Superman also had x-ray vision and extraordinary hearing. In fact, he and other superheroes, such as Spiderman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Wolverine, Batman, and the Incredible Hulk, are known and identified by the types and strengths of their powers. Some people think they’re imitations of God, for supernatural power is tied to supernatural beings.
Only the God of the Bible, whose unlimited power extends beyond the farthest galaxy and the tiniest atomic particle, has the right to ask, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” or “Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, and caused the dawn to know its place?” ((Job 38:4a and 12)
Superheroes are the good guys, the ones who fight evil and usually have hidden identities. Jesus came to earth as a humble carpenter to redeem his people from the eternal clutches of sin—with all its hate, injustice, and pain. Known for his exemplary life, Jesus revealed his power through miracles, yet the people were divided over his true identity. Some believed he was Messiah—the Anointed One—while others thought he was a charlatan. Everything that he allowed to happen, including his execution between two thieves, was part of God’s plan revealed through the prophets of old.
John recorded the details (John 19:32-37, emphasis mine):
So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “Not a bone of him shall be broken.”1 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on him whom they pierced.”2
Even his followers didn’t know what to think when Jesus died. On the first day of the week, however, when they entered the tomb, which was empty except for the linen wrappings and rolled face-cloth that was lying separately, John saw and believed. (John 20:8, emphasis mine) Jesus had risen from the dead just as he said he would!
Unlike fictitious characters, Jesus stands out in the history of the world as the most influential person who ever lived. What superhero has more power than that?
Footnotes
1. Psalm 34:20
2. Zechariah 12:10
From December readings for Days 18, 19, and 20
Habakkuk 1-3, Zephaniah 1-2, and 3
Job 37, 38:1-21, and 38:22-41
John 19:28-37, 19:38-42, and 20:1-9
Revelation 15, 16, and 17
Norma Nill 