Jesus Christ Superhero
By David Outten, Contributing Writer
My wife wanted to see AQUAMAN, so I took her. Again, we have a huge man with six-pack abs saving the world with massive violence in response to horrible villains. In 2018, eight of the top ten movies featured heroes engaged in tremendous violence against villains, including “Incredibles 2” (which I really enjoyed because a family worked together).
Clearly, these are the movies the major studios pour huge money and get even more money out of the box office. One of the reasons people enjoy them is their desire to see good triumph over evil. People want heroes who can vanquish villains.
The Good News is that while the superheroes in movies are obviously fictional, God actually sent the world a savior who is very alive and active today. His weapons are more powerful than lasers, light sabers, or a trident. He cast out demons, healed the sick, raised the dead, and defeated the Devil once and for all on the Cross. He is the King of kings and the Lord of all, and He is alive today on his throne in heaven.
In AQUAMAN Warner Bros and DC Comics created another world — one in the oceans.
Today, you and I live in two worlds. There is earth, that most of us look at as our only world, and there’s a spirit world that has profound influence on earth. Jesus came to earth to invite us to experience this world he called “the kingdom of heaven.” He came to save the world from the kingdom of darkness.
The Jews, in the time of Jesus, were looking for a warrior Messiah who would lead an army of Jews, with the help of God, to crush the Roman Empire and restore Israel to prominence. Had this happened, it might have looked more like a modern superhero movie. Imagine Jesus with a trident taking out Caesar in a big show-down in Rome. That was not in God’s script for earth.
Instead, Jesus was taken and crucified. Those who opposed him probably thought, “Well, that’s the end of that loser.” They couldn’t have been more wrong. By going to the cross Jesus took the Roman Empire. He has over two billion followers two thousand years after his death because he rose from the dead, gave instructions and blessings to his followers and ascended to his throne in the kingdom of heaven.
This is where God’s script for mankind veers widely from the Marvel/DC Comics universe. Jesus commands his followers to love their enemies and to do good to those who would mistreat you. Granted, this does not mean you let the Hitlers and Stalins take over the world. It means you love people into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told his followers to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
In AQUAMAN, the villain is the little brother who wants to take control of the world. In real life that would be Satan. He does not rule a mythical kingdom. He spreads very real hell on earth. He’s the author and encourager of racism, terrorism, greed, and pride. He promotes lust, addiction, depression, and anger. He wants to rub in your mind anything he can find that can make you bitter, angry or depressed.
Jesus, on the other hand, came to restore your proper relationship to God. In that relationship, you’re led by the Holy Spirit to share with the world what are called the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As you learn to live with the kingdom of heaven within you, you change yourself, your family, your community, and the world.
Is there a time to oppose evil with force? Yes. Stalin, Mao and Hitler had to be stopped with force. Force is necessary against those who seek to engage in terrorism, but the better way to wage war is in the spirit world. Prayer can make a difference in lives. There have been would-be terrorists who have been touched and changed by the love of God.
Racism, human trafficking and even terrorism will never be ended by legislation, police, military action, or a huge man with a trident. They require changed hearts. They require those driven by the fruits of darkness to change, seek God, and live driven by the fruit of the Spirit.
What Jesus did on the cross is many times more incredible than the greatest climaxes of all superhero movies put together. If you want to know the name of the world’s true Savior, it is Jesus Christ.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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