I am Currently reading The Founding (3) written by Dan Abnet, published by Black Library Press. The story is based in the vast universe of Warhammer 40k. Humanity is in an endless war against mutants, xenos, and the foul taint of Chaos. The book follows Colonel-Commissar Ibram Gaunt. Gaunt is a powerful leader, his charisma is notable as is his love for his men.
I think the greatest characteristic he possesses is his willingness to put himself in danger for his men when others would consider them mere cannon fodder. In this world, the individual is nothing compared to the weight of the countless trillions that occupy the Empire of Man.
I think this is where I find myself drawn to the Commissar. Despite his right, he still lives selflessly by placing the welfare of the individual above his own. Instead of protecting his own hide, he prefers to lead the charge. Instead of living his life reviewing maps and relaying coordinates to his men via Vox communication, he’s in the thick of the dying.
I find the same sentiment reflected in my greatest hero: Jesus, God in the form of man(1). His right would simply be as He desired it to be and it would be justifiable to Him as God. He could have simply destroyed all of mankind or allowed them to rip themselves apart. Instead, He takes on the form of man, makes Himself lower than a servant and offers Himself before His own creation as a sacrifice to atone the sins of man.
I believe that the qualities found in the Commissar are so fascinating to me simply because the desire for a selfless hero has been ingrained in me since the beginning of time. Within us all is a longing for what Adam experienced in the garden; intimacy with the Lord God. Sin entered the world through Adam and created an impossible division between man and God. The division created a conflict inside every person since Adam. Intimacy, however, is impossible with the Lord, since sin made man incapable of approaching Him. Enter Jesus. The Lord took on the form of man fully (1). He stepped off of His throne to lead the charge, to show us the way to God by becoming the Way to God (2).
The archetype of a Savior can be found in so many places woven into our popular media. Star Wars refers to Luke as the one who will bring balance to the force. The Matrix references Neo as the one who will deliver mankind from their slavery of the machines. In Lord of the Rings, Aaragorn will restore the throne of Gondor and bring peace to his people. Like it or not, the call to Jesus resounds deeper than you realize. Even after 10 years of being embraced by His love, I still find myself mystified by that depth. This life, this journey, will forever be shrouded by the necessity of that Hero.
Thank you Jesus.
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