JESUS IS THE HERO OF THE STORY
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.
1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)
If you've ever watched a superhero movie, you know that at some point in the movie, things look grim for the hero. Defeat looks all but certain, and the villain appears victorious. But suddenly, the plot twists, and the hero roars back with power, taking down the villain and saving the day.
While superhero films are fictional tales, their underlying themes point to the desire within us to see life conquer death, good triumph over evil, and victory prevail against the odds. This is the story of Scripture. Only the biblical narrative is 100% true and far more magnificent than any screenwriter could dare to imagine.
At its core, the biblical story is the Living God's relentless pursuit of wayward, rebellious sinners who cannot save themselves from sin, death and Satan. We all need a hero, and despite what our pride may tell us, it's not us. Enter Jesus, the perfect Son of God and ultimate hero, who plunged Himself into the brokenness and suffering of this world in a divine rescue mission to free us from darkness and bring us into His Kingdom of light.
At a real time, in a real place, on this actual earth, Jesus' body lay dead in a tomb. For three days, death was real, and evil appeared to have triumphed. But even though it was real, it was not forever. Nothing could hold Jesus down. Not death. Not Satan. Not the entire world's sin that He took upon Himself. So, three days after giving up His life on the cross, He roared back to life and victoriously walked right out of the tomb against all odds.
His victory is our victory! Even though we're still in a fallen world, His life, death and resurrection give us power over sin and Satan and hope beyond the grave.
APPLICATION: You don't have to be the hero of your story. In fact, you were never meant to be, so take the pressure off yourself and live like you have a Savior, because you do.
PRAYER: God, there is no one like You. Who else longs to save people who rebelled against them as You do? Thank You for Your relentless pursuit of sinners and Your power to redeem. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?