Growing up, I’ve always been fascinated with superheroes. There’s something captivating about a figure who swoops in at just the right moment to save the day. Even now, I find myself drawn to songs like “I Need a Hero” by Bonnie Tyler—an anthem that speaks to the universal longing for someone brave enough, strong enough, and pure enough to come to our rescue. But this longing isn’t just limited to comic books and pop culture; it shows up in our everyday lives, in politics, religion, and even our personal relationships. The truth is, we live in a broken world, and deep down, we’re all searching for a Savior. And ultimately, that Savior is Jesus Christ.
As a Black woman growing up, I can distinctly remember hearing people talk about the need for the next Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His leadership during the Civil Rights Movement made him a symbol of hope, justice, and change. Even today, many people look for someone to step into that role—to be the hero who will fight for equality and bring healing to our communities.
During every presidential election, you can see the same phenomenon play out. There’s an undeniable hope and expectation that this time, maybe this leader will be the one to fix our problems. We put our faith in people, hoping they can save us from the chaos around us.
Even in church settings, we often see pastors placed on pedestals. People crave leadership, and it’s easy to elevate a pastor to hero status. We admire those like Mother Teresa, Joni Eareckson Tada, and other well-known Christians who have displayed extraordinary acts of love and kindness. Their stories inspire us because they embody what we’re looking for: someone who makes the world a little less broken.
But here’s the thing—no human hero, no matter how great, can fully meet our deepest needs. That’s because what we’re really searching for is something only God can provide.
The Bible makes it clear that the world is broken. Sin has fractured our relationship with God, with others, and even with ourselves. We see this brokenness in the form of injustice, pain, sickness, and death.
Romans 3:23 reminds us:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Because of this brokenness, we naturally crave rescue. We want someone to fix what’s wrong. But the problem is, we often look for salvation in the wrong places—in people, systems, and movements that, while good, are ultimately flawed.
Jeremiah 17:5 warns us:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.'”
No human hero can carry the weight of our expectations. People will fail. Leaders will disappoint. Movements will falter. The only one who can truly save us is Jesus Christ.
Jesus: The Hero We Truly Need
Unlike earthly heroes, Jesus isn’t just a good person who does good things—He is God in the flesh. He came to earth on a rescue mission, not just to heal temporary wounds but to bring eternal salvation. His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate display of heroism.
John 3:16 says:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Jesus doesn’t just save the day; He saves us for eternity. He doesn’t simply fight for justice in the here and now; He brings a kingdom where there will be no more pain, suffering, or death.
Revelation 21:4 gives us a glimpse of this future:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Why We Must Point People to Jesus
As believers, we have a responsibility to point people to the true Hero—Jesus Christ. It’s easy to get caught up in looking for human heroes to solve our problems, but we must remember that only Jesus can fully satisfy our longing for rescue and redemption.
Isaiah 9:6 describes Jesus as:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
When we look to Jesus as our ultimate Hero, we can find peace in the midst of chaos. We can rest in the assurance that He is in control, even when the world feels out of control.
Living Out Our Faith as Everyday Heroes
While Jesus is the ultimate Hero, He also calls us to be His hands and feet on earth. We are called to reflect His love, justice, and mercy to those around us. While we can never take His place as Savior, we can be everyday heroes in the lives of others by pointing them to Him.
Galatians 6:9 encourages us:
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Through acts of kindness, empathy, and love, we can remind people that there is a Hero who will never fail them. Our mission is to share the good news of Jesus with a world that is desperately searching for someone to save the day.
The world will continue to seek out human heroes—from political leaders to influencers to pastors—but they will always fall short. Our longing for a hero is a spiritual craving that can only be satisfied by Jesus Christ. He is the true Hero who conquered sin and death, and He invites each of us to find salvation in Him.
Psalm 18:2 says:
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
If you’ve been searching for someone to save the day, I encourage you to turn your eyes to Jesus. He is the Hero you’ve been waiting for all along.
