From Villain to Hero

“But now I urge to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.”
Acts 27:22-25

Over the course of the past few years on the popular television program Once Upon A Time, the character Regina Mills, aka the Evil Queen has slowly transformed from a villain to a hero – because love has changed her heart. It hasn’t been an easy journey for her, she has often slipped along the way and been tempted by circumstances to go back to her evil ways but she thus far is staying the course.

One of criminals crucified alongside Jesus, while not going from villain to hero certainly went from bad guy to saint when Jesus told him “today you will be with me in paradise.” Saul aka Paul made a transition from villain to hero after his close encounter with the risen Christ. Now unlike the Evil Queen who was quite aware of her wretched state, Saul actually thought he was a hero for attempting to destroy the followers of the Way. Indeed his fellow religious leaders would have agreed that he was. But his heart was changed when he met the One he was really persecuting. His new found faith and trust in the Living God made him a true Hero.

In this week’s passage we see his faith in action. Everyone else on that ship bound for Rome had lost hope; they were prepared to surrender their lives to the sea. When Paul steps up, gives them a supernatural pep-talk and restores their courage. Later we learn they all survived and spent a comfortable time on Malta, where many lives were changed because of Paul’s presence and his faith.

We all have short comings; we all need the life changing work of Jesus in our lives. For the people I know personally who read this none of us have been bad enough to be called villains but that doesn’t change our need for the heart healing only Jesus brings. But I don’t know everyone who may read this and it could come before someone who has made the transition from villain to hero and can relate to the life changing power Paul experienced. Maybe, someone will see it that is in utter despair, recognizing their own wretchedness and believing nothing and no one will be able to pull them out of the mire. For those I want you to know there is someone who has the power to change a dark heart to a heart filled with light and life; to change a villain into a hero or at the very least a saint. His name is Jesus and He gave His everything so that anyone and everyone who will believe and trust in Him will be made new and find their never ending happy ending.

If Jesus has already made you a saint, take it a step further and let Him make you a hero by being Jesus to the world around you. If you are reading this and you know you are a villain and have no hope, look for Jesus – He is probably already standing right there beside you just waiting to pull you out of the mire and turn you into a hero.

A Prayer
Father, thank you for loving us so much that we can go from being wretched villains to faith filled heroes because of your Son. Help us each day to be the heroes you desire us to be by loving the unlovable, caring for the hurting and reflecting the light of Christ to the world around us. Be especially near those who need to have a close encounter with You pulling them out of the muck and mire of a darkened heart. In the name of Jesus who indeed our Hero, we pray - Amen