USA (MNN) — 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of Spider-Man, and Marvel Comics is celebrating its most iconic hero with a new volume arriving in April.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Spider-Man first appeared on the big screen 20 years ago, and Ron Hutchcraft of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries says the film holds a lesson for believers. “There’s a great quote in that [2002] movie; to me, it is a challenge for all of us,” Hutchcraft says.
“Here’s what he said: ‘For me, to live an ordinary life is no longer an option.’”
The comics have been around for a while, but the Spider-Man storyline may be new to you. “For those who are not into spiders or spider-men, Peter Parker was just a geeky young man until he got bitten by a radioactive spider, and he got some powers that he realized were given to him so he can make a difference,” Hutchcraft says.
“The Spider-Man principle was, ‘with these powers given to me, I am responsible for making a difference with my life.’ Well, we have real resurrection power from the Lord Jesus Himself, our living hope, so an ordinary life is no longer an option [for us].”
Ron Hutchcraft Ministries motivates and equips believers to communicate Christ to the lost in their world. Take a look at their resources here, and ask the Lord how He wants you to respond to this story.
“This is a time for boldness because the orders of Jesus remained unchanged. [These orders] say all the world should have a chance at Jesus, including the people in your world,” Hutchcraft says.
“This is Mission Network News, where you hear what God is doing in mission and on mission all around the world. Well, let’s bring it down to you and to me – our personal mission network.”
Below, Hutchcraft lists four reasons why “ordinary” can no longer be the status quo for believers in 2022.
1. Because so many are so lost.
“The chaos and uncertainties of the past two years have exposed so much that’s broken,” Hutchcraft says. “Every night’s news reveals how far and how fast we’re running away from God.”
As described here, Ron Hutchcraft Ministries “is all about spiritual rescue.” Through digital and traditional media, RHM addresses felt needs that will lead people to the cross of Jesus Christ.
2. Because the enemy is holding nothing back.
No one knows when the Lord’s Second Coming will occur, but one thing is sure – Jesus Christ will return for His people, and Satan will face the consequences of his deception.
“In Revelation 12, it says, ‘Woe to the earth, for the devil has gone down to you; he is filled with fury.’ Why? Because he knows that his time is short,” Hutchcraft says.
“As followers of Christ, we have to be as aggressive and dedicated [to our mission] as the forces of darkness are to their agenda.”
(Photo courtesy of Jon Tyson/Unsplash)
3. Because much of God’s army is sleeping.
Just as the disciples fell asleep at a critical hour in Christ’s earthly ministry, today’s Church is sleeping through the warning signs.
“In Matthew 24:12 to 14, He (Jesus) said, ‘because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most – He’s talking about His people – will go cold.’ He said, most of My people are going to go cold: they’re going to be distracted; they’re going to be into things that don’t matter as much as rescuing people for eternity,” Hutchcraft says.
4. Because time is running out.
Considering the realities described above, and “with many of our brothers and sisters sleeping through the battle, what if we [chose] to say ‘This year, 2022, will be the year of my Lord’?” Hutchcraft asks.
“‘For me, to live an ordinary life is no longer an option.’ We are living in incredible times as the world starts to configure more and more like the kind of world Jesus said He would come back to.”
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Denys Nevozhai/Unsplash.
