On Fallen Heroes

The prophet Isaiah wrote these words in the eighth century BC - Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? (Isaiah 2:22). Centuries later the Apostle John, in relating the events of Jesus driving from the Temple those who had turned the premises into a place for lucrative business, wrote - Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man (John 2:23-25).

I think what both Isaiah and Jesus were warning is the ease with which we are drawn into idolizing others. It is easy to place someone upon a pedestal and even lay garlands at his or her feet. We love to worship our heroes, whether they be in the world of sports, business, entertainment, or even religion. Now there is nothing wrong with trying to play golf like Tiger Woods or basketball like Kobe Bryant. And it is probably not sinful to aspire to become the next Bill Gates. It would appear that even the Apostle Paul challenged people to follow his leadership, for he wrote these words to the Corinthians: Therefore I urge you to imitate me (1 Corinthians 4:16). But there is a marked difference between imitating Tiger Woods' golf swing or Kobe Bryant's jump shot, and putting either of those athletes in a position where they become almost godlike to you.

How we need to remember that men and women have feet of clay. We admire the faith of Abraham, but let us also not forget that he lived a lie for a period of time, pretending to be someone - namely unmarried - that he was not. We admire the leadership of David, but let us also not forget that he committed adultery, murdered one of his best friends, and had a family that was totally out of control. We admire the strength of Peter as he proclaimed the message on the Day of Pentecost, but let us not forget that this same Peter also denied his Lord three times. In all the stories of people shared within the Scriptures, what I find so amazing is how careful God is to expose the warts, the acne, the scars of each one. The only One with no flaws was Jesus Christ Himself.

Isaiah was right...men are just that - men. They are capable of doing some incredibly amazing things. But, those same men are also capable of doing some incredibly stupid things. Therefore his advice was that we not put our confidence in them. Instead he challenged the leaders of Judah to put their confidence in God.

Yes, have your heroes. Have those men and women whom you admire; those whose lives you might even want to imitate. But, don't hold them in such high esteem that they take on the status of a god before you. Remember they are just men and women who are capable of stumbling, sometimes making a royal mess when they do.