The Unmasked Marvel
"Who is that masked man?"
Why does it seem that if you want to be a superhero, nobody can know who you really are?
“Who is that masked man?” they excitedly inquire. Zorro. The Lone Ranger. Batman. Even Superman. All of these heroes have questionable identities. Any of them could be your neighbor in the apartment across the hall, your cousin, or your roommate (okay, that’s a scary thought).
“Who is this King of glory?” is asked with the same curiosity and excitement, but asked rhetorically by the Bible itself. Because the Bible provides the answer.
A favorite Advent Psalm unmasks our superhero Savior – before he even hides himself under a silly costume that children might wear for Halloween – so that we don’t need to wonder about his identity. “The Lord strong and mighty” (Psalm 24:8).
What a shame for those who pledge allegiance to a god whose identity they really aren’t sure about. How miserable a life it would be to put all my trust in a fairy tale kind of god hero existing only inside the positive dreams of my wild imagination. Advent solves all that by announcing the coming of a real King. Really strong. Really mighty. Really ours.
Jesus Christ is no masked marvel or secret superhero. Although he came once veiled in flesh, he wasn’t covering up his identify but revealing it – a true man of humility who bleeds like us and bled for us. Although he comes to us today invisibly through the preaching of his Word, the splashing of Baptism’s water, and the eating and drinking of his body and blood in Holy Communion, he isn’t covering up his identity but revealing it – an invincible, unstoppable, miracle of the soul solving our deepest spiritual need (sin’s guilt) despite our weakest of physical handicap, mental disturbance, or emotional breakdown. Although he will come soon on the Last Day of the world (a date he keeps a big secret), he isn’t covering up his intentions but revealing them – he wants us all to be ready to meet him at any time.
And we are ready. Because the King of glory has prepared the way. Our hero.
PRAYER: You are the King of glory, O Savior Jesus. You have prepared the way for me by breaking sin’s control and curse, and building a bridge to heaven that I wait to cross whenever you decide to end this world or my life in this world. I praise you, my King, and pray that you give me the strength and desire I need to serve you with honor. Amen.