#179 The Man of Tomorrow

I received a Superman book for Father's Day (shocking, I know): Superman Smashes the Klan. The book adapts a story from the old Superman radio show. In 1946, the Lee family moves from Chinatown into the main section of Metropolis. There they face hatred and harassment from the Klan of the Fiery Kross. Superman, Inspector Henderson, and the staff at The Daily Planet work to defend the Lees and expose the Klan. This wonderful story about resisting racism and welcoming others really resonated with me because of our current discussions about race in the U.S. (see my last post for more thoughts on that).

In the book, the Grand Scorpion of the Klan of the Fiery Kross believes that white people are superior, and he tries to argue that "you cannot unite a nation of people who share neither blood nor history." During his climactic confrontation with Superman, he stresses his point again: "The Lees aren't "your own"! You share no blood with them! No history! There is literally nothing that binds you together! That has been the Klan's point all along! A nation bound by nothing cannot last!"

Superman knows how to respond to this: "But we are bound together. The Lees and I… our friends at The Daily Planet and the Unity House and the police department… everyone down there, really… We are bound together by the future. We all share the same tomorrow."

I love that little speech. I think Superman's words here reflect the reality of the church in some ways. We who believe in Jesus are diverse. We come from different nations and cultures and backgrounds. We share some broad basics—our common humanity, our sinfulness, the saving death and life of Jesus—but we aren't all natural family members or friends or even allies. Some of us were enemies in the past. Some of our histories seem about as different from others' as we can get. But Jesus gives us a shared future. He calls us to work together as citizens of His kingdom. He inspires us to love each other as sisters and brothers in His family. And He promises us all life together with Him. Reconciliation is at the heart of Jesus' work. He reconciles His people to God. And He reconciles us to each other. Jesus gives us a shared and better tomorrow.

Grace and peace,
BMH