If Jesus were a superhero—Oh, wait. He is!—His nickname might be Opposite Man. He was always upending traditional patterns and erasing preconceived notions. He loved to engage those who considered themselves religious and point out how their diligent, humanly devised plans were in direct opposition to the teachings of God.
He confronted a Pharisee who boasted about tithing down to a tenth of his last mint leaf (Matthew 23:23). Jesus responded, in essence, “You call that tithing? Have you called your mother lately?” Jesus called the dead “not dead.” Lazarus, for instance (John 11:1–44). Jesus said life after death was true living (John 11:25). He made His point with dust motes rather than daggers. Who does that? Opposite Man. When one of His hotheaded companions sliced off a soldier’s ear in defense of Him, Jesus bent down, picked up the ear, and reattached it (Luke 22:49–51). Classic Opposite Man. What could be more opposite than that?
Jesus did the unexpected, the opposite, the unheard of, and is still operating that way today. He forgives me even though I don’t deserve to be forgiven. He loves me despite my unlovable behaviors. He offers me eternal life after I die, just because I believe in Him. Even if I give up on myself, He doesn’t give up on me.
I pray I never take for granted the wonder of Opposite Man’s power and wisdom. Since I’m not a superhero, I find myself in need of it every single day.
—Cynthia Ruchti
