The “hero/villain/victim” motif forms the backbone of many of the world’s great dramas. The same concept plays an important role in the gospel accounts as well. Jesus is the ultimate “hero,” constantly defending hapless victims from a powerful and evil villain. This motif is evident all around us, seen and unseen, in our social world and in the unseen cosmic.
Jesus constantly steps in to protect the weak, the sick, or the sinful from those in positions of power – especially religious leaders. He takes the side of the woman caught in adultery (John 8), the sinful woman at Simon’s house (Luke 7), the woman who anoints him with perfume (Mark 14), a tax collector (Luke 5 and 18), children (Mark 10), a crippled woman (Luke 13), Samaritans (Luke 9 and 10), and many many others.
In aligning himself with these people, Jesus willingly puts himself in opposition to religious leaders, politicians, the crowds, and even his own disciples. Wherever people are being hurt, whenever judgment is given preference over mercy, any time the weak and outcast confront the strong and well-connected, Jesus invariably comes to the aid of the former and puts to shame the latter. Jesus loved the underdog. His heart went out to the downtrodden, powerless and disadvantaged. He was most at home with the poor, the diseased, the underprivileged than the well-to-do and well-connected.
Few things were more repulsive to him than the privileged classes taking advantage of these masses who were like “sheep without a shepherd.” If nobody else wanted them, Jesus did. And they knew it.
Of course, this same predilection is seen at the cosmic level also. For Jesus’ ministry can be summarized as the rescue of helpless victims from the sinister clutches of Satan and his evil minions. Jesus is our hero, doing battle for us with the one who has caused humanity untold suffering and degradation.
What we see when Christ steps in to defend an individual in the gospel accounts is the same attitude which prompted him to step into our world and take up our cause of providing a pathway back to God. He is our Redemption... He is the marvelous plan of Salvation that flows freely forth like living waters for all humanity from an eternal well of mercy... the Cross.
Jesus never refused to become involved. He never looked the other way or crossed the road to avoid getting involved. Ne never turned a blind eye to the problems and suffering of people. He was all in... for all mankind.
By temperament, he was predisposed to empathize with the underdog and to risk himself in the victim’s behalf. He did... all the way to the cross. And for that, we all should be thankful. For in Him and through Him... a purposeful life can be lived.
See the Cross of Christ in your minds eye, in your heart, these remaining hours as Jesus, nearly 2,000 years ago completes His journey of eternal destiny at the Cross, and as the victorious risen Savior on Easter – Resurrection Sunday.
