Unlikely hero

When you hear about a hero, what picture comes to your mind? Films have shaped our image, from Superman and Ironman to James Bond and Sherlock Holmes, we expect our heroes to look and act in a certain way.

The hero the Jewish people were waiting for - Messiah - was different.

Who has believed our messageand to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?He grew up before him like a tender shoot,and like a root out of dry ground.He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.He was despised and rejected by mankind,a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.Like one from whom people hide their faceshe was despised, and we held him in low esteem.Isaiah 53:1-3

Jesus was completely ordinary. He had no distinguishing features; nothing that made him stand out from the crowd. For 30 years, he lived his life unnoticed. When he began his ministry those who knew him growing up; the ones went to him as the town carpenter, could not believe that he was Messiah.

Jesus was rejected. Heroes gather crowds and following. Jesus had that to an extent during his ministry. But as Messiah - he was rejected. He was despised. He was condemned. He was crucified.

Of course there is much about his ministry that was extraordinary. How he taught. The miracles he performed. Once he went public, he gathered a crowd. However, they all abandoned him. They all turned their back on him. He was despised, rejected. He suffered and died.

That is what makes our message unbelievable, even to this day. Yet it is true. And when you get to know Jesus, I believe, you will find him irresistibly attractive.