Superhero Jesus

Have you ever thought about the different ways Jesus is portrayed in our culture?

Of course, this time of year we focus on Baby Jesus, born in a manger. This is the Jesus of Nativity scenes and quiet, melodious hymns.

Then there is teacher Jesus, the one we hear about in Bible classes and sermons, telling us what to believe and how to live.

Healer Jesus performs miracles. He uses mud to restore sight, instructs a man to pick up his mat and walk, and stops the menstrual bleeding of a woman who simply touches his garment.

Suffering Jesus was whipped, almost to the point of death. He carried a cross to Calvary, there he took his final breaths, offered forgiveness, and died as the victim of a Roman execution.

Resurrected Jesus came back to life. He stepped out of a tomb, spoke to many of his followers, and eventually ascended into the sky, promising to return again.

When all of these ways Jesus is portrayed are brought together, we discover a number of understandings of who Jesus—and ultimately God—might be.

For many, especially in our current culture, Jesus is seen as a superhero, similar to a character you might see in a Marvel movie. He comes to earth to save each person from their sins, healing and teaching along the way. He uses his superpowers to take away illnesses, control nature, and raise people from the dead.

This superhero Jesus appears in much of our modern Christian music. Many worship songs celebrate Jesus for what he has done for us. Some even seem to resemble love songs.

Don’t get me wrong, there is much Jesus has done. But does this superhero take on the Son of Man cause us to miss the point?

Superheroes usually do things we can’t to save us from powers we can’t defeat by overpowering their enemies through violence and force.

Is that really who Jesus is? Is that who YHWH is?

During this advent season, we wait. We wait for a Savior long promised in Scripture. But this Messiah is not a warrior king coming to overthrow evil with violence and force.

This is what many Israelites were expecting from the baby born in a dirty, stink food trough and—if we’re honest—it’s what many Christians expect today.

I often hear calls for Jesus to overpower sinners and then witness Christians grabbing for power to do the same. Meanwhile, the Jesus of the Bible subjected himself to the Roman government to the point of execution.

I often hear calls to exclude those who don’t subscribe to a certain way of living or measure up to certain expectations from various groups of Christians. Meanwhile, the Jesus of the Bible ate with sinners and challenged the religious leaders of his day who thought they were doing everything the right way.

The Jesus of the Bible was born in a filthy stable, surrounded by animals in a space which smelled like a 4-H barn. He was forced to emigrate as a child when his life was threatened. He grew up the son of a common manual laborer. His childhood was lived as a Jew under Roman rule and oppression.

I often hear calls for Jesus to “take back our country” and make it the Christian nation it used to be. Meanwhile, the Jesus of the Bible pushed back against Empire and power, seeking to create a movement based not on laws or oppression, but through grace and mercy.

Is Jesus really a superhero or might we be missing the bigger picture?

Even his ministry was suspect. His key followers included a tax collector, a terrorist, some fisherman, and others who were often rejected and despised, even by their own people. The religious leaders of his day plotted for ways to kill him.

His final hours were spent on trial, subjected to false charges brought about by those who sought to protect their power under the guise of following God and God’s laws.

This is the suffering servant we read of in Isaiah, the one who is called the Prince of Peace.

Many of his followers were disappointed when he died, and even while he was still alive. They wanted someone who would overthrow the Romans and serve as King, a Messiah who ruled with power. They were hoping for someone to take up arms and lead a revolt so they could rule over the Romans.

What they got instead was a man who suffered, who was ridiculed, and who was murdered, even when he had the power to stop it all.

Jesus is not a superhero who sweeps in and saves the day with violence, power, and having his way. Rather, he laid down his life, loved even those who murdered him, and showed that even when all looks lost, the ultimate victory will be won with grace, mercy, peace, justice, and love.

Let us remember during this Advent season how Jesus entered the world. It serves as a signpost, pointing to the type of Messiah he was destined to be.

Maybe even more importantly, let us learn to live as he did, not seeking to grab power or force others to live according to our beliefs. Rather, let us seek to embody our beliefs in such a way that others feel drawn to walk the same pathway of love in the world.