Looking for a hero.
It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. - Hebrews 7:7-8 ESV
We’re all looking for a hero. Perhaps we search on Netflix, escaping into a world of superhero comic adaptations like Marvel, or maybe we’re praying for a president that can stand up to and rein in evil forces seemingly bent on destroying any semblance of order. Some of us are looking for a more personal hero, a close relationship with a person who can protect and comfort us no matter what.
The root issue of the Jewish Christians addressed in the book of Hebrews was surprisingly similar. Their heroes and saviours were the angels, Moses, Aaron and Abraham. They wanted these heroes to come and deliver them from their pain and oppression. They were so desperately seeking, that they missed the greatest hero imaginable. The book of Hebrews, up to this point, has been trying to show that Jesus is greater than the angels, Moses, Aaron and Abraham all put together. Why couldn’t they see it? Didn’t Jesus raise the dead, didn’t He Himself rise from the dead? How much more powerful do you get than that?
We could probably do with the same reminder. Whatever the reason for our search for a hero, we can be comforted to know that He lives. He is with us and loves us deeply, more intimately than any human being ever could. More powerful than any imagined superhero. Knowing this we can patiently trust that He knows our pain, that He is in control and that He will prevail.
Prayer.
Dear Father God in Heaven, Thank You for sending Your Son, our Lord Jesus, down to earth. Thank You for the way He tasted every temptation and trial, and thank You that He overcame every one of them. Thank You that He has destroyed the work of the evil one, and for the guarantee that He will, in Your good time, destroy all evil and every wicked thing. Father please gives us the eyes to see the wonder of the risen Christ this Christmas. Help us to know His love and trust in His almighty power. Please give us the strength to face each day’s challenges in the hope that You will carry us through every one of them. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship.
I can see
Waters raging at my feet
I can feel
The breath of those surrounding me
I can hear
The sound of nations rising up
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
I can walk
Down this dark and painful road
I can face
Every fear of the unknown
I can hear
All God's children singing out
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us
He lives in us, lives in us
We have hope
That His promises are true
In His strength
There is nothing we can't do
Yes, we know
There are greater things in store
We will not be overtaken
We will not be overcome
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us
He lives in us, lives in us
Greater is He that is living in me
He's conquered our enemy
No power of darkness
No weapon prevails
We stand here in victory
Service.
The end of the year can always be difficult. The end of 2020 magnifies that situation. We are all needed, we are all capable of spreading the hope of Jesus Christ. We need to remember that the power of the risen Christ, in the person of the Holy Spirit, is living in every believer. Let’s ask Him to remind us of His great power and then to equip us to spread that amazing hope to the sad, lonely and desperate today. In Jesus Name.