Jesus to the Rescue
“Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It's Superman!” As a child, these words were etched in my mind every time I would eagerly watch “The Adventures of Superman!”
Eyes glued to the television, I watched how Superman would battle crooked businessmen and politicians, take on injustices and inequalities by fighting and standing for social justice, and have X-ray vision to see through walls, doors and buildings. And always, just in the nick of time, Superman would come to the aid and rescue of men, women, boys and girls who were being tattered, torn and troubled. Superman was my hero! Superman was stronger than anybody! Superman could do no wrong! Yet, Superman was fictitious. Superman wasn’t real. Superman was an actor who was seen on television.
Nevertheless, Jesus is no actor! He’s the real thing! Humanity had sinned, and God was faced with a dilemma to either excuse sin or destroy all and start over. God’s solution, however, was to send the real Superman, Jesus Christ, to save His people from sin (Matthew 1:21). In His earthly ministry, Jesus restored sight to the blind, defeated demon-possessed men, calmed boisterous ocean waters, raised the dead, fed the hungry, clothed the naked and sacrificed His life on Calvary enabling us to obtain eternal salvation (John 3:16; Acts 4:12). Jesus is the real Superman!
Fast forward nearly 2,000 years to our present day. God’s people are distressed and distraught, and need rescue and redemption from this sinful world. The solution once again is Jesus, the real Superman! Jesus has promised that He is coming back, but this time, He’s coming to get His people. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3 (KJV).
In preparation for the real “Superman’s” imminent return, keep your eyes on Jesus and align your priorities with His, placing your will in harmony with His. Paul said it best, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 (KJV). Hence, prayer, Bible study, worship and sharing your faith with others are spiritual disciplines which are conducive to one’s growth in Christ. And when these practices are employed, Heaven is our ultimate goal. “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Colossians 3:4 (KJV).
May we be encouraged in knowing that troubles don’t always last, and Jesus, the real Superman, is coming to the rescue!
By Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min.
President
