There is a commercial on television about a young woman who saved the life of man while both were running. She had sacrificed to become a nurse, and she used her training to save this man’s life. Do you think he was grateful? He is emotionally grateful in this commercial, as I’m sure any of us would be in the same situation. In the eyes of this man, the young woman is a hero. We would all probably agree.

The dictionary describes a hero as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” That seems to fit the saving of a life, wouldn’t you say?

Through my research, I have not been able to find the word “hero” in scripture. There are certainly men and women whom we would consider to be heroes, but I cannot find an example of anyone being called a hero.

I remember having Vacation Bible School themes on Heroes of the Old Testament or Heroes of the New Testament, and those lessons were based on those who showed some physical strength. They were men like David who killed Goliath,  Samson, who killed the Philistines, or Gideon, who destroyed the Midianites with only 300 men. These men fulfilled their courageous deeds with the help of God, and we consider them heroes for their bravery and obedience to God.

There is another kind of hero, and I read this hero’s description in Matthew 5. Jesus is talking about retaliation. The Jews lived by the Old Law, and it allowed for “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21).

Jesus is teaching a different way of dealing with those who mistreat His people. He says we should turn the other cheek; if someone sues you and takes your tunic, give him your cloak; if someone forces you to go with them, go; don’t refuse people who want to borrow from you; love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:38-48). These things fit the description of one who should be admired for “noble qualities.”

Can we find examples of this kind of hero in the Bible? I think we have several.

Joseph is certainly one that comes to mind. Years after his brothers sold him into slavery, they stood before him to buy food in Egypt for their starving family. Joseph recognized them, and he was in a position to have them killed. Instead he said, “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5 ESV).

Joseph knew that all he had suffered was for a purpose. It was God’s will that he should be in Egypt at this particular time.

Jesus is, of course, our greatest example of a hero, having been beaten, humiliated, stripped of His clothes, and nailed to a cross, His words were simple but profound. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Stephen represents all the qualities of a man to be admired. He was challenged by the Jewish rulers because of his teaching. He defended his teaching by laying out the history of the Jewish people before men that should have known he was telling them the truth. Instead, these rulers paid men to lie about Stephen, and they stirred up the people against him. The people became so enraged they threw him out of the city and stoned him to death. His last words were, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60).

One other example comes to my mind, and it is found in Luke 15. Though this example is found in a parable, it represents what a real hero should be.

You remember the story of the prodigal son. A young man demanded his inheritance from his father. He left his family to indulge in a wicked and sinful lifestyle. When his money was gone, the only job he could find was feeding pigs. This was the most loathsome job for a Jew.

When this young man came to his senses and returned home, his father stood looking for him, ready to welcome him home. His words are profound. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24).

 What do all of these heroes have in common? They all understood the need to forgive.

Several years ago, a couple from our church family left the Sunday evening service, drove about five miles toward home, and were struck and killed by a teenage girl. The girl was texting. They lay in ICU for several weeks with no improvement in their condition. The husband died first, then the wife. The last words he spoke were, “Don’t file charges against her.”

If you have ever watched Dr. Phil on television, you will remember that he tells families, “Someone needs to be the hero.” He wants someone to make the first move, to take that first step to solve a problem, or to be willing to forgive and forget.

You may not be able to fight a giant, destroy a nation of Philistines, or command an army of 300 to win a battle; but you can still be a hero. At the end of Jesus’ parable about the unmerciful servant, He made it clear how important forgiveness is. He said, “And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:33, 35).

 Be forgiving, not because Dr. Phil said so but because Jesus said so. Forgive, and be a hero!

Sandra Oliver