In LOVE with Humanity

Hero #068: Jesus of Nazareth
Born in all probability sometime in or around 5 B.C., Jesus of Nazareth (originally
―Yeshua‖ in Aramaic -- commonly known these days as ―Jesus Christ‖), is regarded by the
Christian church and its adherents as the only Son of God. Of course, while anyone with
even an ounce of real humility must admit that this belief might indeed be true, in no way
does this belief serve as a justification for Jesus' being designated as a ―Hero‖ in this series.
Indeed, I think it is easy for believer & non-believer alike to see that there is nothing
particularly heroic at all about being forced by one's very nature to fulfill a predestined set of
prophecies while groveling at the ―feet‖ of a celestial ―father‖ who was more tyrant than
teacher; and more despot than daddy. (In the Bible, Jesus is seen to call the Essence that many
call God ―Abba‖, an Aramaic word which meant the warmer, more intimate ―daddy‖)
No, while it might indeed be the case that the Christian church got it right with regards
to who Jesus was and what he came to demand of humanity, within the very texts of the
Bible itself there is another equally-valid way to view his teachings -- another equally-valid
way to interpret his deeds, and another equally-valid way to honor his life and enliven his
cause. And, in a most delicious twist of irony, that alternative Way is not only proscribed by
Jesus himself, but also more often than not directly contradicts the dogmatic ideology of the
very church that worships him to this day. And it is this other Way -- if it is indeed more
akin to the Truth of the man in question -- that has Jesus qualifying as a ―Hero‖ herein.
You see, to be a true Hero, one must either champion selfless Kindness in the face of
enmity, or pure Freedom in the face of tyranny. And it is my own humble opinion that Jesus
qualifies on both counts. Feel free to consider the following:
*While the Christian church would have us believe that Jesus must be actively
worshiped as an actual Godhead (or one-third of one Godhead) in order to avoid eternal
damnation (see Romans 3:21-25 & 5:8-9 et al), Jesus himself repeatedly & sternly denied
this claim throughout his ministry -- actively refusing to be made king in John 6:15, and
very clearly stating that he himself was not to be worshiped at all (see Mark 10:18, John
5:41, John 12:44, et al). This abdication of adoration & power evidenced a level of
humility that was truly heroic.
*While the Christian church would have us believe that Jesus performed miracles
and was therefore ―above‖ or better than us ―mere humans‖, Jesus himself preached with
a very different tone; reminding us all that we too are Sons & Daughters of the Divine --
that we too can Love just as he Loved, that we too can serve just as he served, that we too
can fight injustice just as he
fought injustice (see John 15:12 &
John 14:12 et al). And he also
repeatedly shared his opinion that
his ―miracles‖ did not come from
him at all, but rather were born
from the sincere faith of the ones
who had been healed (see
Matthew 9:22, Mark 5:34, Mark
10:52, Luke 17:19 et al). This
championing of the still-quiteunpopular
concept of selfemancipation
evidenced a courage
that was equally heroic.
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