What does it mean to be a hero? Our society struggles with the concept of heroism, at times conflicted over whether to build our heroes up or tear them down. The late tennis great, Arthur Ashe, was once quoted on the subject of heroes. He said, "True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” To serve, regardless of the cost...now that is an intriguing definition of heroism.
There were many in ancient Palestine who believed that Jesus just might be the hero they had been waiting for. His words were powerful, his ability to draw large crowds, amazing, his reputation as a miracle worker, captivating...and yet, he was ultimately crucified because he did not turn out to be the hero that many thought he should have been. Perhaps his words were to blame...words like those found in Matthew 20:26-28; "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
To become great, according to Jesus, is to become a servant to others. That doesn't sound very heroic to a modern world bent on the sensational...enamoured with celebrity, and yet, to serve others selflessly in Jesus' name is to follow the way of Christ, regardless of cost. "Whoever wants to be my disciple," Jesus said, "must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Perhaps people of faith need to redefine their understanding of heroism. The kind of heroism Jesus encourages is often tedious, dirty work that might go largely unnoticed, but that doesn't diminish its value....perhaps that is the greatest indicator of a heroic act.
"The urge to serve others...whatever the cost." Ashe's definition is a good one...it finds it greatest example in the servant of all, Jesus the Christ. As followers of Christ, may we be heroes to others in Jesus' name.
Jim Abernathy
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The world usually understands a hero as someone who achieves fame and notoriety by doing a great deed that many people see, hear, and write about. Part of what Jesus is telling us is that the real heroes are those who spend a lifetime doing small good deeds even if no one ever finds out that they did those deeds. No one except God, of course. One of the most difficult conflicts in the life of a Christian is this: Why am I doing what I am doing? Is it to please God, or is it to get the applause of people? Sometimes when I ask myself that question I don’t like the answer. But when my time on earth nears its end, I want to be able to say as the apostle Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” How great would it be to stand before the Master and hear the words from Him and Him alone, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That’s the kind of hero I want to be, someone who lived their life to please God.
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