A Holy Man Like No Other
In June of 1938, Action Comics released its first issue and the world met Superman. Although there had been a few earlier comics about a hero with super-human strength, it was the advent of Superman that set off an explosion of interest in super heroes. Recent technological advances in film making have made movies about super heroes extremely popular and financially lucrative. These did not add an element to the human experience; they merely awakened the human desire for a hero, a special man.
In June of 1938, Action Comics released its first issue and the world met Superman. Although there had been a few earlier comics about a hero with super-human strength, it was the advent of Superman that set off an explosion of interest in super heroes. Recent technological advances in film making have made movies about super heroes extremely popular and financially lucrative. These did not add an element to the human experience; they merely awakened the human desire for a hero, a special man.
Jesus was making quite a stir around Galilee in the early part of His ministry and people were debating how to understand His nature. Everyone knew He was a man, and many considered Him a special Man, a holy Man. Matthew 16:14 records that many considered Jesus a prophet. As the authorities continued to interrogate the man who had been born blind about the nature of his healer, the man expressed that he considered Jesus to be a prophet (John 9:17). As the healed man reflected on his experience with Christ, he realized that Jesus was no ordinary man. He reasoned that Jesus must be a prophet.
Holy Men Through The Ages
Through the years, there have been men regarded as holy. Some of these were known primarily for their wisdom, like Confucius. Some were known for uncommon strength, as the proverbial Samson. Some were known for a perception of greater spiritual insight, like Siddhartha Gautama, a.k.a. the Buddha. More recently, men have become known as prophets who purported to have a special connection to a deity. Mohammad is referred to by Moslems as “The Prophet.” Joseph Smith is revered by Mormons as a prophet. There have also been countless cults led by men and women claiming this special status.
The Old Testament Expectation
The Old Testament tells of many prophets and holy men, yet it always anticipated the coming of a particular holy man. This was a prophesy given to the first people in the Garden of Eden. As a consequence of the first couple’s disobedience, they were given punishments. A greater punishment was meted out upon the serpent who had deceived them. The prophesy given in Genesis 3:15 is known as the “Protoevangelium,” and has long been understood as the first promise of the Gospel.[1] Here it is promised that someday, mankind would have its hero, a descendant of Eve who will crush the head of the serpent.
One of the earliest of the Bible books is the book of Job, at least in its origin if not in its final form. Gary Long comments, “Job’s world, fashioned within the text, points to a hoary antiquity, a time similar to, if not before, the world of the patriarchs encountered in the pages of the Bible.”[2] In the middle of his suffering and the miserable comfort of his companions, Job expresses his faith in a hero, a Redeemer. He says in Job 19:25, “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
As the nation of Israel was poised to enter their Promised Land, Moses knew he was not going to be their leader. He had been told by God that he must leave that designation to another. The book of Deuteronomy contains a series of farewell speeches to prepare the nation for their new life. In Deuteronomy 18:18, he foretold of the rise of a Prophet, another leader who would deliver the word of God to the people. This promise entered into the national identity of Israel, as they began to look for a Messiah. After feeding the 5,000, many in the crowd recognized Jesus as the Prophet, the fulfillment of Deuteronomy 18:18 (John 6:14).
The Common Cry
Everyone has been in a position of feeling stuck and unable to free themselves. Everyone knows what it is to wish for a hero, a deliverer. On a national level, this is how leaders come to power and generate a following. On a personal level, people seek help from all manner of difficulties from finances, health, depression, and emotional issues. If this were not true, no one would listen to songs like “Help” by the Beatles, “Help Me Make it Through the Night” by Kris Kristofferson, “Cry for Help” by Rick Astley, or a myriad of others.
The man healed from blindness knew that his help had come from a holy man and was poised to follow Jesus as a prophet. Christians understand that mankind’s greatest need is spiritual. All humans need help with the burdensome effects of sin. Other men through the ages that have been hailed as prophets never healed a person who had been born blind. Still, Jesus’ greater work is freeing people from their self-destructive treadmills and leading them to a new way of life.
Conclusion
Are people still interested in heroes? Certainly! The first Superman comic recently sold at a private sale for $15 million.[3] It is the most expensive piece of pop culture memorabilia ever sold. We love heroes because we know we need a hero. Jesus is the Hero we need; He is a Holy Man like no other.
Bibliography
Certified Collectibles Group. “CGC-certified Action Comics #1 Sets New Record with Surprise $15 Million Sale.” Posted January 9, 2026. https://www.cgcgrading.com/news/articles/action-comics-superman-record-6qZRvkTFzJ8,mfQgWMX0SjP/.
Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch, s.v. “PROTOEVANGELIUM.” Edited by T. Desmond Alexander, and David W. Baker Downers Grove, Il: InterVarsity Press, 2002.
Long, Gary A. Commentary on Job: From the Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, IL: Baker Books, 2019.
[1] Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch: A Compendium of Contemporary Biblical Scholarship, edited by T. Desmond Alexander, and David W. Baker (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), 535.
[2] Gary A. Long, Commentary on Job: From the Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, IL: Baker Books, 2019), 11.
[3] Certified Collectibles Group, “CGC-certified Action Comics #1 Sets New Record with Surprise $15 Million Sale,” posted January 9, 2026, https://www.cgcgrading.com/news/articles/action-comics-superman-record-6qZRvkTFzJ8,mfQgWMX0SjP/.
