In so many Disney movies the climax happens when we realize the strength or true potential of the main character…when they’re finally revealed as the hero of the story.
Prince Phillip battles Maleficent to save Princess Aurora.
Pongo and Perdita disguise their pups to outwit Cruella de Vil.
Mulan proves she can keep up with the boys.
Marlin’s determination reunites him with his son, Nemo.
Hercules learns the importance of strength of character.
All of these stories are in sharp contrast to another you may have heard. Jesus never got the recognition He deserved during His ministry on Earth.
His own family didn’t recognize Him for who He truly was. He lived day in and day out with the twelve disciples only to suffer their betrayal. Through all of His miracles and messages, no one realized His authority as the Son of God.
After He was crucified, dying for the people He had come to save, we are given an account of a Roman guard finally “getting it”.
When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54
Christ was completely human, feeling all of the emotions we would ever experience, and yet all without sinning.
For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Would I have “got” who He was if I were there? One of the most humbling realizations in my Christianity is the knowledge that if I had been in the crowd, I would have been yelling, “Crucify him!” along with all of the others.
And yet, because of His great love, I am forgiven even of this.
What are you not believing fully enough? What are you not “getting”?
Jesus is the ultimate Hero. His way is always the winning way.
Let the climax of each of our stories be the realization of what our Hero, Jesus Christ, means in each of our lives!