“A true hero is someone who selflessly sacrifices for someone else’s benefit. It’s someone who goes the extra mile. It’s someone who takes personal responsibility when thing go wrong and gives credit to others when things go right. . . . Heroes are not always recognized as such during their lifetimes, but their courage echoes on across the ages.”- Mark Batterson
“Just to go across the Jordan River with the king is all the honor I need.”- 2 Samuel 19:36 (NLT)
In Chapter 15 (“The Eighth Wonder of the World”) of Double Blessing, Mark Batterson introduces us to a man from Gilead named Barzillai. When David fled the capital city after Absalom’s rebellion, Barzillai risked his life and livelihood to help David. As a result, the wealthy Barzillai, at age eighty, provided food for David and his party.
Therefore, when David returned to Jerusalem to take back his throne, Barzillai escorted King David across the Jordan River. Next, David kissed Barzillai and blessed him. So, Mark asks, what if:
- the joy of blessing others consisted of the only honor we sought?
- all we wanted to do was add value to others?
- our chief goal in life revolved around helping others across the Jordan River?
Finally, Pastor Batterson informs us how Jesus and His disciples made ends meet. We find the answer in a group of women with a vision for God’s kingdom. Mark refers to those women as angel investors. In his gospel, Luke profiles three of these women:
- Mary Magdalene – although the disciples scattered after Jesus’ arrest, Mary was present and accounted for at both the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Above all, Augustine dubbed Mary the apostle to the apostles because she announced the resurrection of Jesus.
- Joanna – her husband worked as Herod’s business manager. Thus, Joanna reinvested her husband’s Roman currency in kingdom stock.
- Susanna – we know little more about Susanna than her first name. Yet, all these women made the ministry of Jesus and His disciples possible.
Today’s question: Who is a true hero in your life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Peripheral vision – where blessing often hides”
