Our world has a sign up: Help wanted

Today's Column:

There is a desperate need in our world today. It is a need that has always been and forever will be. It is the need for the common hero.

Every movie, newscast and personal story speaks of humanity’s attraction to the rescue, the defender and for that which brings hope to the desperate.

G.K. Chesterson wrote almost 100 years ago “that courage is splendid, that fidelity is noble, that distressed ladies should be rescued, and vanquished enemies spared.” These ideals exist in the best of cultures and societies. Those who live amongst the kind and generous live well.

I believe that is why I love Jesus so much and see Him so clearly in the heroic lives of others around me.

When a dad takes a demotion at work after deciding that his children and the men of his church mean more to him than a little extra money, I see Jesus.

It was not from some dump that Jesus came to us. He left heaven and the holy dwelling of God where he was worshiped by angels and all the saints that have gone before us. His home was celestial and wonderful in every way. He took a demotion out of love for us.

An early Christian hymn speaks of the descent of Jesus. Philippians 2:6-7: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

When a man takes his hard earned money and pays the rent of a friend who has recently lost his job, I see Jesus.

Christ did not die a martyr’s death. Jesus died as an atoning sacrifice for those who would receive by faith His love and redemption. He gave His life in exchange for ours. He died so we could live. He paid what we could not afford.

That early hymn speaks of the penal substitution of Jesus. Philippians 2:8: “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!”

When a mother holds her newborn child in her arms and relishes the joy and honor that is hers, I see Jesus.

It is the glory of Jesus to have provided us new birth. When a person accepts the grace of God given through Christ, their eternal spiritual life begins. Having brought about eternal life through the power of His death and resurrection, Jesus has been given the highest honor and praise.

That early hymn ends proclaiming the praise that belongs to Jesus. Philippians 2:9-11: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

What we need most in our world today are modern-day, common-place heroes who remind us of the ultimate champion of humanity - Jesus. We need more amazing dads. We need more sacrificial friends. We need more loving moms.

We need heroes.