As a child, I wished I could be just like Superman. That means I would be super strong with steel abs and the ability to fly, and outside of kryptonite, not much for weaknesses. He was like the superhero of superheroes, with all the superhuman abilities wrapped into one man. There is not much he couldn’t do to defeat the bad guys.
The way we typically imagine strength and success, it’s no wonder Jesus was so easily misunderstood. He seemed too meek and lowly to be the promised conquering king. He wasn’t rich, nor did he live in a palace, tour around on a majestic horse, or come from an elite family. He may have performed spectacular miracles, but never to impress or woo a crowd. He didn’t wear a cape nor walk around with a glowing halo; “rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Philippians 2:7)
Jesus did not take on the form of a superhero or warrior but of a servant. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Over and over, Jesus would tell his disciples how he needed to suffer many things and be killed, to which Peter responded, “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” (Matthew 16:22)
Yet it did. Jesus’ life was marked by various trials of suffering as a human being and knowing our limitations. One who was born as a baby experiences growing pains, needs to rest, is hungry, is misunderstood, despised, rejected, betrayed, and even dies as a criminal on a cross.
The Son of God did not walk this earth as superhuman, but one fully knowing our frailty and weaknesses. “He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)
The story of Jesus is one of suffering as a human — for humans. Jesus not only knows what it is like to suffer like you, but he suffered so that pain, sorrow, and death are not the final answer.
The story of Christmas reminds us again of a God who would not stand back while the world suffers under the curse of sin and death but “… so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
As Augustine of Hippo aptly summarized, “We fell, he came down. He ascended, we are lifted up.”
Through Christ’s suffering and death, there is new life. He may not have been the conquering hero the world expected, but he is the Savior we need, for he is the one who has overcome this weary world.