“And the Word was made flesh” (77; John 1:14)

To me, Jesus has always been a way of relating to God. Because he is man and went through life and death as human, he is easier to understand and relate to. Regardless of the nature of Jesus, he is no doubt a hero in the eyes of Christian believers.

Jesus was God incarnate as man, sent to sacrifice himself “that the world through him might be saved.” (80; John 3:17) Sacrificing one’s own life is the ultimate show of devotion; only a man truly devoted to a cause could be willing to freely give up his life for that cause. This is what makes the crucifixion of Jesus such a powerful image; believers in him are promised eternal life because he gave his life for them.

Through his redemptive sacrifice, Jesus became “Savior of the world” (83; John 4:42) and the ultimate hero in the Christian tradition. Images such as the one above -- the Michelangelo's Pietà (in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican) -- are powerful in that they depict the extreme sacrifice Jesus made for his followers.

Jesus’ expressionless face after death

Jesus came to the earth on a mission to spread the word of God and to offer eternal life to all of humankind. He knew what he was up against, and knew that his death for mankind was inevitable, yet he faced it unfaltering. Perhaps it is the fearless pursuit of doing the right thing in the face of danger that makes so many of our heroes.

When his death was near, he addressed his disciples and told them “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (104; John 16:7) Jesus revealed the necessity of his death and that he was dying for them. He spoke, “And for their sakes I sanctify myself.” (106; John 17:19)

What makes Jesus a hero? He was compassionate, led an upright and moral life, he helped others and spread a message of tolerance and peace, but none of these deeds he accomplished in life measure to the heroism achieved by his death. He died for God and for man, and that is what makes Jesus a hero.