Jesus: The Real Superman

JESUS CHRIST: THE REAL SUPERMAN!

TEXT: Philippians 2:5-11

INTRODUCTION:

Those in my age range might remember these words: “Look! Up in the sky. It’s a bird. It’s a plane. Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!”

“Yes, it's Superman, strange visitor from another planet, who came to Earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman, who can change the course of mighty rivers, bend steel in his bare hands, and who, disguised as Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.” That’s from the Adventures of Superman TV series, which ran from 1952 to 1958.

I didn’t know it until I started researching for this message, but there is a book called “The Gospel According to the World’s Greatest Super Hero,” by Stephen Skelton. The writer says the Superman storytellers confirm they modeled Superman on Christ. Superman and his father share the name “El” (Hebrew for “God”). Superman’s name was Kal-El, and his father was Jor-El. His earthly parents were originally named “Mary” and “Joseph.”

There is a review of Skelton’s book on the CBN.com website. The reviewer “…discusses the meaning found within Superman’s costume. One particular symbol that is interesting to Skelton is the triangular shield, which holds Superman’s S-shaped family crest. Historically, a triangle symbolizes the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The triangle used on Superman’s costume points down, signifying God’s relationship with man and the gift of His only Son to mankind.”

In the first Superman movie, Superman’s real father, played by Marlon Brando, says, “'Because of [the people of Earth's] capacity for good, I have sent them you ...my only son'," Just as Jesus died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins, defeated the devil, and was resurrected from the dead by God; in 1993, Superman died fighting the Doomsday while saving mankind from the creature's path of destruction, and later, Superman was resurrected by his father, Jor-El.

Another website, fevr.net, makes these comparisons: From above, Father Jor-El sends his son Kal-el as a baby to Earth. Like God, the Father sent His Son Jesus to this world. Similar to Christ’s first coming, Kal-el was sent in a star-like spaceship, which was heralded by a star. When he came, he was raised by two earthly parents who were originally named Joseph and Mary (later Jonathan and Martha).

When Kal-el/Superman comes of age, he visits the Arctic wilderness to speak with his father’s spirit, like Jesus’ visit to the wilderness to commune with His Heavenly Father. Thereafter, Kal-el (his earthly name is Clark) embraces his mission as Superman to fight for truth and justice. Similar to Jesus’ mission. Superman’s mortal enemy is Lex, who envies His power. Like Satan, who wanted to be like God. Superman came back to life after being put to death as per a 1992 comic book called The Death of Superman, just as Jesus rose from the dead.

All this may be interesting, but what’s sad is that many fans of the comic book hero Superman don’t know about the REAL superhero, Jesus Christ. Superman is an imaginary character in comics, TV, and movies. Jesus Christ is REAL. He is alive and well and overseeing the universe that He created.

I. Not only is Jesus faster than a speeding bullet, but He can materialize and dematerialize at will.

A. One minute, He’s at an inn along the Road to Emmaus, then disappears before the eyes of his dinner companions and rematerializes among His disciples in Jerusalem.

B. They were terrified because they thought they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus said, “Why are you so frightened? Why do you doubt? Look at my hands and my feet and see who I am! Touch me and find out for yourselves. Ghosts don't have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” After Jesus said this, he showed them His hands and his feet (Luke 24:27-40).

C. In His resurrection Body, Jesus could go effortlessly wherever He desired to go, at the speed of thought! That’s much faster than a speeding bullet!

D. In Romans 8:11, the Apostle Paul wrote: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” What does this mean?

E. This means the Christian’s glorified bodies will also have this property. When we are given our glorified body, we will be faster than a speeding bullet!

II. Not only is Jesus more powerful than a locomotive, but He has ALL POWER in heaven and on earth.

A. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and said, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).