We celebrate heroes. We erect statues, name holidays, and tell their stories. But if we are honest, we tend to honor most not those who have made the greatest sacrifices, but those who are immediately before us—those who give us something in the moment. Yet, true heroism is not found in momentary recognition, but in acts that shape eternity.
What makes a hero truly heroic?
We admire Michael Jordan for his athleticism—he did what few could ever do. We revere Mother Teresa for her selflessness—her life was spent in the service of others. We remember John Glenn and Neil Armstrong for their pioneering spirit, Abraham for his unwavering faith, Columbus for his bold belief in the unknown, and Lincoln for his endurance through adversity. We honor war heroes who gave everything for a cause greater than themselves.
Each of these men and women, in their own way, shaped history. But there is One greater still. His influence is beyond time, His sacrifice beyond measure, His victory eternal. All of you have heard of Him. Some of you know Him. His name is Jesus.
Jesus Faced Our Greatest Adversary
A hero stands in the gap for others. Jesus stood in the gap for all of humanity. Our greatest adversary is not an enemy we can see or a force we can conquer by human effort—it is our own sin. Sin is not just what we do; it is what we are apart from God. It separates us from the One who created us, the One who loves us, the One who desires for us to know Him both now and forever.
And the cost of sin? Death. Separation from God for eternity. It is a battle we could never win, an enemy we could never defeat on our own. But Jesus faced that adversary for us. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
He took on our sin, bore its punishment, and conquered its power by rising from the grave. He defeated death itself—the one battle no other hero in history could ever claim victory over. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus Blazed the Trail to Eternal Life
A hero does what no one else can. Jesus was the first and only to conquer death. He paved the way for us to follow Him into the presence of God.
He is not a distant figure in history; He is the living Savior who created us, became one of us, and now stands with us. His suffering made us holy before God. He does not merely call us followers—He calls us brothers and sisters.
No other hero has ever brought humanity into a relationship with God. Jesus alone made that possible. Heb. 10:19-23 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
A hero is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of others. Jesus laid down His life so that we might live. Not just survive, but thrive. Not just exist, but walk in the fullness of God’s love and presence.
He envisioned the results:
• Forgiveness of sin – The debt that kept us from God erased forever.
• Our obedience to God – A life transformed, walking in step with the One who made us.
Following the Greatest Hero
So, how do we respond to the greatest act of heroism in history? How do we follow Jesus?
1. Admit that we have sinned, that we cannot save ourselves.
2. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that His death and resurrection conquered sin and death.
3. Confess Jesus as Lord of our lives, surrendering to His love and leadership.
When we do this, everything changes. Jesus enters our lives and makes us new. From that moment on, we fix our eyes on Him.
We strive to reflect Him in everything we say, do, think, and believe. We seek to become like Him—not in power or fame, but in love, sacrifice, and faithfulness.
This is why the writer of Hebrews exhorts us:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)
There are many heroes in this world, but only One who holds eternity in His hands. Fix your eyes on Him, and He will lead you into life everlasting.
Pastor Mark