“Greater love has no one than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:3 (NIV)

When I was growing up there were many heroes to admire, such as Wonder Woman, Superman, and Lassie, the dog wonder. There was always someone to look up to, whether they were a family member, teacher, or a great fiction character. The people who we admired inspired us to be better, reach higher, and to achieve the impossible. Today, however, I can’t help but wonder, “Where have all the heroes gone?”

My youngest son loves football. As a card collector, he places the best players in the front of his collection. These top players inspire my son as he dreams of becoming a football player, too.

One day while passing through the family room, Parker stopped dead in his tracks as his attention was drawn to the television. Flashed across the screen was the face of one of his heroes, now a fallen hero, who had been charged with drunk driving.

Parker took down his collection book from the shelf, removed the player’s card, tore it into pieces, and threw it into the garbage. Saddened I found myself questioning again, “Where have all the heroes gone? Isn’t there anyone we can look up to anymore?”

You’ve probably experienced the same kind of let down at some point in your life. Perhaps it was a family member, a friend, or even a Christian leader who disappointed you and led to question, “Is there anyone I can truly trust?”

A few weeks after the incident with my son, the six-o’clock news told another story that redeemed his broken heart and gave us all a new perspective.

A family had been stranded on a rural, snow-covered road in Oregon after spending Thanksgiving with family. The father, attempting to save his family, set out on foot to look for help. The mother and her two young daughters stayed behind. To survive the cold, she burned all four tires, including the spare in the trunk of the car. She nibbled Thanksgiving leftovers and sustained her daughters with breast milk.

Days later, an airplane flying above saw the father’s footprints in the snow and landed to investigate. They found and rescued the mother and the two young girls. Immediately a search began in the snow-covered mountains for the missing father, but they were too late. The cruel winter weather had claimed his life while he desperately tried to save the lives of his family.

I sat down on the couch beside my son, pulled him in close to me, and said, “There’s a hero, son. Anyone who loves another in such a way that they are willing to give their own life to save another is a hero.” I also thought about those two little girls who will never have to question if there are any heroes left in the world. Their father will always be their hero.

You and I have been loved in the same way. We, too, have a hero. His name is Jesus Christ. Knowing that we live in a fallen, broken world, Christ left His heavenly home and all the comforts there. He took off His royal crown and laid aside His position to come and rescue us from sin and death. Why? Because of His love for us. In Christ’s heart you and I were worth dying for. Jesus willingly gave His life so that we may live. There is no greater love than that!

In this world people may disappoint us from time to time, but remember: We’ll always have the love of our heavenly Father, the greatest hero of all.

Dear Lord, thank You for loving me enough to lay down Your life so that I may have life as God intended. Teach me to live worthy of Your sacrifice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

***

Related Resources:

Do you know Him?

i am not but i know I AM by Louie Giglio

My Prince will Come: Getting Ready for My Lord's Return by Sherri Rose Shepherd

Application Steps:

Write a note, prayer, poem or song to the Lord thanking Him for His great love toward you and for being your hero.

Reflections:

Have you ever been hurt or disappointed by someone in a way that has caused you to think that no one, not even God, is trustworthy?

Do you think spending time in God’s Word can change your perspective? Why or why not?

How has God proven faithful in your past when all else failed?

Power Verses:

1 John 3:16, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (NIV)

Hebrews 6:10, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (NIV)