Thursday, January 5, 2012

Soteria Stands Out Against Any Manga


Manga  is Better
I love manga (and anime). It can't be helped. The anything-goes plots are mind-boggling. Its innate ability to mix various genre (like action, comedy, romance, shounen, mecha) is outstanding. And, of course, the cool and "kawaii" character designs are too appealing. I think manga's best characteristic is its expressive perspectives through artistic exaggerations. It thrills the heart. Ah, words won't suffice! Read one for yourselves (LOL). Right now, I'm still subscribing to four online manga, believing that manga is always better than any real-life and real-human-character movies or stories.*

Soteria is the Best
However, there's one real-life story that will always be better than any manga and any other story in the world. It does not just thrill the heart. IT BURNS IT. Two persons confirmed this phenomenon a long time ago:  
They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us...?
These persons were subscribing to this Soteria story. But one time they were confused about the plot: 
The Hero has come. He wonderfully exhibited His power, wisdom and love. He became famous. Then, the villains appeared on the scene and fought with Him. And guess what? He was tragically crushed, haplessly hanging on a tree. What an ugly ending if that's all there is in the story.

But after three days, the Hero rose from the dead, declaring the real plot of His heroic story to these fellows. Apparently, this Hero, the main character I was referring is the historic Jesus Christ (Luke 24:13-35). And it was his "soteria" (Greek for "salvation") which is the greatest story ever told. For what reasons? I'm not sure if I can exhaust them. Let me just name some:


A) Christ is More Than A Hero
Common super heroes have their weaknesses. This Hero has none. He is divine.  (Col. 2:9) The Maker of All things. (Col. 1:16) The All-Powerful (Rev. 1:8) so when it comes to strength, He has no rival. He needs neither us nor our praise. Yet He stooped down to save us from our sins. He is more than a Hero. He's the King of the Universe. Yet He condescended even to the point of death. (Phil. 2:6-8)

B) Christ Defeats The Most Terrifying Enemies You Can Think Of
Enemy #1: Satan, the wisest deceiver. One who has mastered mind manipulation. Far more witty than Einstein or President Marcos. But on the cross, at a time when he thought he outwitted God, Christ landed a fatal blow on his head. (Gen 3:15) And in the end he will finally be overthrown. (Rev. 20:10) 
Enemy #2: Sin, the greatest virus. Nothing poisoned us like sin. It has corrupted the world with just an instance. (Rom. 5:17) But through the cross, we can be freed from sin's penalty and power.
Enemy #3: Death. The Darkest Horror. It has terribly reigned since the fall. But death shall die in the end because of Christ. (1 Cor. 15:26) 

C) Christ Has the Grandest and Most Unique Triumph
Isn't He the only Hero who rescued by being fallen, helped by being helpless? Isn't He the only Hero who, by His great power, saved not just His friends but also those who used to be His enemies (Eph. 2:1-5)?

D) Christ's Salvation is Cosmic in Its Effect
Yes, you might have heard about comic heroes "saving the day" and saving "the world" from villains. Christ's salvation does not just last for a day, though. It's for all eternity (John 3:16). He did not just save our lives. He gives us life. (John 10:10) His salvation affects not just the earth but all things (Col. 1:20). He did not come just to reduce this world's imperfection. He has come to bring perfection.

What Now? 
If you're a believer in Christ, you should dwell more on this thoughts. Read more of His word. Know that Christ is supreme in all things, hence, sufficient for all things. Know that nothing satisfies the soul more than savoring Christ's person and work.

If you're an unbeliever, you certainly are missing the greatest story ever told that affects the eternal destiny of your soul. He is not a hearsay personality on a tabloid or a legend on a folklore. He is the loving King of the universe to whom all should surrender, lest His just wrath fall upon us (Psa. 2:12).

Do you want the greatest story to burn your heart? Go grab a Bible and look for CHRIST!



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* It is true, however, that there are Christian manga existing now. One of which is Manga Messiah and its sequels.