On June 2, 1938, American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian artist Joe Shuster released the first issue of Superman in D. C. Comics’ Action Comic Series which sold for 10 cents.  Originally Siegel introduced Superman as a power-hungry being who tried to take over the world, but he later revamped him as a good guy with an alien backstory, secret identity, and a cape and  other special features.  Sigel and Shuster were later asked to rework their plan of a newspaper comic strip into a 13-page story for Action Comics # 1, which became the most valuable comic book of all time.  One copy of the book sold for $3.21 million on EBay in 2014.

        “Words from Above” in the Bible tell us about Jesus, God’s Son, being born in human form and becoming the Savior of the world by His death on a Roman cross.  He came to this world from the world of heaven, and returned there following His public ministry of doing good and providing salvation for all people.  He continues to save people from the power of sin and spiritual death      introduced into the world by Satan.  He had, in His very own words, all power in heaven and earth, but He chose to share that power with all of His followers.

        Jesus gives His followers power to spread the message of the gospel of His kingdom with the lost and spiritually dying of the world.  He gives all His followers a commission to go into all the world and teach to all the people of the world all of His commandments and His ways.  He gives them power by filling them with the Holy Spirit of God, who also gives them comfort, who gives them encouragement, and who gives them all they need to carry out His commission.

        As opposed to Superman transformed from being power-hungry to a good guy who helped to save the world from harm, Jesus is described in the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 13, verse 8, as “the same yesterday, today, and forever”.  Among other things, this means that He is unchanging in His being and in His purposes.  For example, God does not change in the way He loves the people of the world whom He created.  He creates people so that He can have a personal relationship with them, and this is the reason He sent Jesus to the earth to die on the Cross.

        Jesus does not change, but He wants His followers to change so that they become more and more like Him daily.  He will show us the way and give us the power and strength to do exactly this.

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.