Super-Jesus

I think it is no big surprise that I am a fan of the comic book character Superman. Why? I do not know. I chalk it up to having to choose a comic book candidate. Some people stand behind Batman or the Green Lantern, but for me the choice was clear, Superman.

Anyone, who is familiar with the story of Superman, will find it hard to deny the similarities between the life of Jesus Christ and the fiction of Superman. Allow me to elaborate:

- Superman, the only son of Jor-El, was sent to Earth and became humanity's savior; Jesus, the son of God, was sent to Earth to be humanity's Savior.

- When Superman's ship crash landed on Earth, he was discovered and later adopted by the Kents, of whom had no children of their own; Jesus was born of the virgin Mary.

- Little is known of the childhood and adolescence of Clark Kent/Superman; ditto for Jesus.

- Superman had super strength, could fly, had heat vision, was invulnerable, etc., etc.; Jesus performed many miracles including raising people from the dead, healing the sick, walking on water and turning water into wine.

- Superman set an example for humanity by his words/actions; ditto for Jesus.

- Superman died to save humanity from the alien Doomsday; Jesus died to save humanity from sin and their ultimate "doomsday."

- Superman was resurrected; ditto for Jesus.

Superman is no Jesus, but the similarities between the Life and the story are uncanny. Equally uncanny is the fact that Superman was created by two Jewish immigrants living in Cleveland, OH, during the early part of the last century.

The rub is that Jesus reveals himself to all of us in mysterious and wonderful ways. Each way is unique and tailored specifically to our needs regardless of who we are or where we come from. If we look hard enough we can see that his influence surrounds us everywhere.

"Live as one of them, Kal-El (Superman), to discover where your strength and your power are needed. Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son." -Jor-El (Superman's father)

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The
same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the
true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
John 1:4-9, KJV

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
John 8:12, KJV

"As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
John 9:5, KJV