As I discuss the idea of Superhero discipleship with friends and people I’m in fellowship with, we joke about coming together wearing our superhero costumes. Invariably, I say, “No capes.”
Now, most of us geeks know that a lot of superheroes wear capes. We’ve also seen the movie The Incredibles, so we get the reference.
In that clever, amazing movie, superhero parents get back into the superhero life, they go to a woman who makes costumes. She is against the idea of capes because of all the “accidents” that happen. They get caught on stuff. And those of us who grew up with superheroes in comics and cartoons like the Superfriends, we got the joke.
What function does a cape serve? Some of the comics or TV shows try to justify the cape, but it really serves no function … other than it looks cool. It’s flashy. But it comes with the potential to slip and fall.
The Incredibles made the joke, and jokes are funny because of a hint of truth.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
While we who follow Christ have superpowers and are superheroes, there is no place for a flashy cape. There is no place for pride.
Why would we have pride in the superpowers we possess? They were given by God, literally called “gifts.” We did not earn them. We can participate in them and learn how to use them for good (AKA, be superheroes), but we did not earn them. They were given from grace and mercy and compassion for a purpose. If we take pride in them, that is how we set ourselves up for a fall.
A cape says, “look at me.” We don’t have to be around “the church” long before we see people, leaders even, who use their gifts in a way that says, “look at me.”
As we see in the scripture above in Hebrews, the goal is, “look at Jesus.”
He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the totality of our faith. When we use our superpowers, our spiritual gifts, the goal is for all to see Jesus. In order for that to happen, we must be the ones that keep our focus on Christ. As CS Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less.” The way to think of ourselves less? Think on Christ more.
By the way, this is also how to learn how to use our superpowers. They all have their root in him. Who better to teach us how to be sons and daughters of the King than the Son of God?
Capes may look cool, makes people say, “Wow. Superman looks amazing when he’s flying around in that cape.” But we don’t need a reason for people to notice us. If we love them, if we want them saved, we must get them to notice Christ in everything. And that means getting the focus off of ourselves.
Peace.
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