What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that word? For many of us, images of the world's superheroes instantly come to mind. Spiderman, diving head-long into the burning car to save a civilian, with his magic sticky stuff. Captain America, fending off forces of Hydra in a mission to save the nation. Superman, flying into the air to rescue Lois Lane in his arms.
Each of these comic book heroes contain an incredible element of true victory and heroism. And the best news is, legends like these are not just the stuff of comics.
There once was a warrior who saw his nation defamed. A rival territory stood mocking the forces of his king, and refusing to back down. This man saw the enemy, and knew his position. In faith, he raided the enemy territory, and single-handedly killed 800 foreign mercenaries.
There once was a king, who saw a tiny, undefended parcel of land, home only to a few insignificant people and their crops, being threatened by enemy forces. This man, with only two faithful mighty men at his side, stood his ground, and dove head-long into the fight to save that which was his own.
There once was a hero, who saw his bride falling from the sky, into enemy territory and certain death. He reached out to her, destroyed all the forces of the enemy coming against her, and with his own precious, bleeding hands, turned their own greatest weapon of destruction against them in triumph, before picking up his beloved and riding home with her in his arms.
Jashobeam, one of David's three mightiest fighters, standing against the hostility of Canaanite empires. David, guarding Pasdimmin. Jesus, rescuing his beloved with his own blood.
Heroism is one of the most breath-taking things the world has, and will ever, see. But how often do we see true heroism today outside Marvel films?
Heroes are real. But sadly, the American church today looks anything but heroic. We have never, or rarely, tasted spiritual victory. We are surrounded by people who want more, but don't know where to find it. We see the world at every turn, and are constantly having to fight off distractions. We struggle to believe that God could bring back the heroism of the Bible, because we've never seen Him do so in our weak hearts.
But we do not have to stay where we are. God is willing to build us, in a heart beat. If you look around the world, you can already see Him at work.
Voice of the Martyrs recently released a story of how brave Christians are reaching out to North-Korean defectors. It's almost impossible for Christianity to get into that severely guarded and hostile nation..... and yet it's happening. Bibles are filtering into prisons, and the good news of Christ is being spread. The world cannot stop it, no matter how strong.
Jim Elliot, who was attacked by the Auca Indians he had spent his life to reach, but did not see his life as worth saving, if his death could save them. His wife, Elisabeth, who went straight back into Ecuador, to forgive and minister to her husband's murderers. Richard Wurmbrand, who spent ten years in a Soviet prison under severe torture, for defending Christ, and endured it rejoicing.............. the men and women that Hebrews 11:38 refers to as the ones "of whom the world was not worthy".
There are nations today, in which "taking up your cross" is a tragically literal command. The news last week contained stories of eight Syrian Christians, who would not back down in spite of severe oppression and threats. They had a battleground, and were determined to take up their sword and fight for the priceless hearts of the people around them. The news article relayed the story of their murders, and subsequent crucifixions, at the hands of Islamic radicals.
These men lost their lives..... and yet they were heroes. They were moved so deeply and completely outside of the Enemy's realm that he had to build crosses for them. Yet even in death, the victory was theirs. Christian history portrays a beautiful picture of a message that spreads even more when the messengers lose their all. The world is not worthy of heroes like these...... but it is forever altered by them. To paraphrase Eric Ludy, real Christianity will either turn the world completely on its head, or they will build crosses for us. But there is no in between.
It's time for the church of Jesus Christ to start acting like the true body of our savior. It's time for the heroes to rise up, with the war cry of God's mighty warriors.
THE CRY OF A HERO:
{Larger view on the Ellerslie website}
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