A Man on a Mission

Much like Chetna, I was never really acquainted or knowledgeable about Christianity. Growing up, I was never really exposed to it. Instead of attending church on Sundays like the majority of my friends, I instead kneeled in front of an altar and prayed to it everyday, asking the idol of a Buddha to provide my family and friends with good health and luck. Even recently, my “homeboy with JC –ometer” (Eric) was not very high.

An example of a Buddhist Altar

If one was to ask me about Jesus, I would have given you two common and stereotypical responses. The first response would be that he died for our sins and the second would be that he is an overly commercialized figure in our modern day. If it weren’t for me reading bible verses (for the first time in my life, actually) for this entry, I would not have been able to provide specific examples for Jesus’ heroic justification. Instead, I would have just talked about the amount of times that I have seen him parodied on television, in movies, and in society.

Parodies of Jesus in the media. (Left: Seth Macfarlane’s Family Guy, Right: Kevin Smith’s Dogma)

Obviously, Jesus’ image is not restricted to bad entertainment. Jesus as a hero reminds me much of Campbell’s definition of one who is dutiful to a specific cause. Much like Daedalus, Buddha, and the Blues Brothers, Jesus carries out his duties without hesitation, lack of faith, and question. He is a man on a mission from God:

“Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”

(John 7:16, 89) Another reason for Jesus’ heroism is that he does not hesitate or falter with his resolve. His willingness to carry the burden of others for the sake of something grand and beneficial gives suggests firm, pure, and confident strength- something that is much needed in a hero: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

(John 6:35, 87)

Strength and charismatic confidence are required in all heroic figures.

Following up on Brad and Chetna’s posts about the commercialization of Jesus, I wanted to point out something that was in the reading. (If I misinterpreted this, please forgive me) It is ironic that the very thing Jesus was against is now being done to his image: “And said unto them that sold doves, take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” (John 2:16, 79)