I give credit to my Brother, Sebastian, for inspiring this thought and suggesting it was worthy of writing about.
The Bible lifts up no one as a hero. Just consider King David about whom we have record of horrendous sin. Or Moses, whose temper took him to murder and ban from the Promised Land. Miriam helped save her brother and served as an important leader of the Exodus from Egypt, but her revolt against Moses found her on the receiving end of God’s correction. Even Mary, Mother of Jesus, is pictured as bossy and wanting to bring Jesus home when He got even too radical for her.
Instead, David’s honour comes from living as “a man after [God’s] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14 God’s Word). Moses’ epitaph from God reads Moses “was more humble than anyone else on earth” (Numbers 12:3 God’s Word). Miriam’s title of prophetess (Exodus 15:20) showed she served God directly and spoke and sang God’s words in truth. And Gabriel greeted Mary with, “You are favoured by the Lord” to which she replied, “I am the Lord’s servant” (Luke 1:28, 38 God’s Word).
Contrast this with entertainers, sports figures and politicians who seek huge salaries for what they do, revel in the spotlight and manipulate the media to be in the public eye. Entertainers root for causes, using their name, not their discipline. The same can be said for church leaders (on a smaller scale) who climb the ladder of power, influence or prestige so they can wear goofy gowns, have people kiss their ring and have people interview them to become nominated for most important person of the year.
“The rulers of nations lord it over them, and those with authority [want to be called] benefactors, but not so with you. The better among you must become like the least honoured and leaders must become like servants” (Luke 22:25-26 my translation).
Interesting that Jesus lifted up the widow who had pennies to give as an example (not hero!) above all the rich and famous (heroes!). Stop worshiping these Bible “heroes” and start following their example! They are only doing what God asked them to do, so do the same for what God asks you. We’d rather have idols than the real thing, it seems. Then we can be spectators instead of getting crunched on the front lines.
Can I be so crude as to say people would rather wear the bum-pads of the devil than the armour of God?
6 responses to “Heroes or Models?”
nopew
October 6th, 2013 at 19:24
Thank you for your kind words. It’s what bloggers of faith want to hear.
Peace
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Planting Potatoes
October 6th, 2013 at 16:37
well put! I was blessed by your words!
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nopew
October 3rd, 2013 at 09:53
Yes, Bible heroes are not polished up. Their sins are reported as well as their faithfulness. Yet I agree that saints and heroes are made to look “special” and that takes away the very power of their model! Always when we look to God, not human, give glory to God, not human we see human models and the wonders of God at work – even in humans!
Thanks for your kind words.
Peace
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JC
October 2nd, 2013 at 21:13
I think it makes it much easier to make people heroes because we get the perception that somehow they have some advantage that we don’t. We then feel okay to be spectators.
Every bible ‘hero’ (if you will) was just as ordinary as you and I, but they made a continual ‘choice’ to stay in God’s will. If we can all grasp this the impact the church will have would be tremendous!
As always, I love your boldness to say what needs to be said.
Your sister
JC
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nopew
September 30th, 2013 at 15:36
Wow, I wish I could learn all that 🙂 ! Seriously, I appreciate your comment. Such wisdom helps me to remember why I do this when I have so little time to do it. Jesus is the only One worth worshiping.
Peace
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greenlightlady
September 30th, 2013 at 13:12
First, I’d like to thank you for your chuckle inducing conclusion (I had typed in ‘ending’ by accident and thought better of it). Secondly, I’d like to thank you for bringing true servanthood to my attention since it is something the Lord is trying to get me to focus on … the small and humble deeds count in his kingdom if they are done out of humble obedience and love of God. I love the story of the widow giving out of her poverty. Finally, I’d like to thank you for reminding us that we are all equal in his eyes – only Jesus is a true unblemished hero.
Blessings ~ Wendy
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