Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC

Romans 5:6-10

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

As a child I had many heroes growing up. However they were not like the heroes many of the young kids looked up to. Many children viewed Superman, Batman and Captain America as their heroes, but for me athletes were my heroes. Hall of Fame football players such as Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders, along with Hall of Fame NBA players such as Michael Jordan and Dirk Nowitzki were men I looked up to and admired. Being as avid a sports fan as I was even as a child, I marveled at the abilities of these men and what they were able to accomplish on the field/court. 

Perhaps you have individuals or characters you may look to as heroes. Whether it be because of the impact they have had on your life, or because of what they have been able to accomplish in their life, you look up to them. We all have them and if they are a positive influence it is a noble thing to look up to them. However, what if I told you that the greatest hero came from a little town called Nazareth over 2,000 years ago to free us from the bondage and captivity of sin? What if I told you that this hero I am talking about was not based on some cartoon, but came about to bring real change? What if I told you this hero was stronger than any athlete, and loved us more than any person could ever love us? You know who I am talking about: King Jesus. King Jesus is the hero that we all truly need. 

The apostle Paul writes about King Jesus as a hero here in Romans 5:6-10. One of the greatest passages in all the scriptures. It says that Jesus in our mess died for us. The bible says that because of sin, there is a great chasm between us and God that we on our own strength and accord can not bridge, which was going to lead us to an eternity in a place called hell one day. However, because of God and His love, He sent Jesus to pay the punishment for our sin that we deserved by hanging on a cross and shedding His blood. Even though we were enemies of God, because of His love He bridged the gap for us. He SAVED us. That is the definition of a true hero. He made a way when there was no way (2 Corinthians 5:21). Hallelujah!

So what does that mean for us? It means understanding that we along with the people around us need King Jesus as our hero. For parents, that means choosing to love your children the way Christ has called for you to love them even when it is hard, and pointing them to the hero King Jesus. For spouses, continuing to love one another as Ephesians 5 tells you to love, and constantly pointing each other back to the true hero King Jesus. For those in the workplace or with friends who are lost, that means choosing to love them where they are with the same love Jesus has shown you, and point them to King Jesus the true hero who can save their soul. Let us choose to worship and praise the real hero Jesus today and look to point others to Him. 

O PRAISE THE ONE WHO PAID MY DEBT,

AND RAISED THIS LIFE UP FROM THE DEAD,

JESUS!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me. Thank you for making a way when there was no way for me to be brought back to You. Help me to never forget that truth! Help me to continue to point others to you in my family and friends group. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen!

MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:

1 Corinthians 15:56-57-56 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.