WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT APRIL 5-9, 2021
The Avengers are pretty cool with some characters really powerful but no fictional hero can compare to the true hero, Jesus.
Just to do a little explanation here...
• Captain America was injected with a serum that made him like a super human. The good thing was, he had a good heart. And yet he was still limited when it came to fighting powerful enemies. Captain America was basically that- a captain, the leader. • Captain Marvel absorbed quite the power surge which allowed her to travel to different worlds and save millions. Her power is explosive but if she’s not in the battle, her powers can’t help. (Refer to Avenger’s Endgame)
• Iron Man was rich, much like Batman. But because of his intelligence, Iron Man has the quite collection of cool suits and robots. But without stepping into his suit, he’s just a rich human being with a weakness in his chest.
• Thor was a god of thunder. He was named a god and yet had his own struggles and weaknesses.
When Jesus came down to earth, He was not like the heroes we see on screen. He came as a baby born in the lowest place (a stable) and was raised in Nazareth (a place not esteemed). He did appear into battle with powers floating around Him and a cool costume.
He grew up as we do. As a human. And then He went on His three year journey of healing, teaching, and preaching.
One thing that makes the characters we see on screen as heroes is their way with caring and relating to humanity. They fight for the greater good. And that’s what Jesus did but more intentionally and eternally.
You see, He didn’t just fight a battle and win. He sacrificed Himself to win the whole war for the past, present, and future. His words triumphed over the enemy, over death, and over the grave when He said, “It is finished.”
We celebrate when we see the Avengers defeating their enemy in a battle. But why is it hard to celebrate Jesus who won the whole war for us?
• Jesus is our Shepherd and leader. Not just a captain in charge of the army and team but a shepherd who loves and cares, gently guiding us to greener pastures.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Psalm 23:1-3
• Jesus is powerful not because He had to absorb any of it or step into power on earth, but because He is the Son of God. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Matthew 28:18 NIV • Jesus knows what it’s like. On the way to the cross, Jesus bore such weight (the sin of the world past, present and future) pain, anguish, betrayal, desperation, sadness... and yet He continued on because He saw you. He had the joy in Him to die on that cross not just for a few but for all. “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Hebrews 4:14-15 NLT • Jesus is God and He has no weakness or limits. What’s amazing is that He came down to earth to experience being man so that He could die the death we were meant to because of the sin that is present in our world.
“The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Any- one who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.” John 3:35-36 NLT
With that, let us celebrate Jesus. And not just on Easter but every day. Celebrate, praise, call out, “Hosanna” to the King of kings.
Even when things aren’t so great, look to Jesus. Utter a prayer of thanks, even when it’s hard. Jesus endured the cross and hardest death for us because of the joy He saw in us having a chance to live eternally with Him.
So find joy in Jesus today and every day. He loves you.
Blessings!
PRECIOUS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF DAVAO