Hero Worship

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. … But [his opposers] could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. … And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. – Acts 6:8, 10, 15 (NRSV) 

I don’t know about you, but I never heard the story of Stephen in Sunday school. Frankly, he sounds a little too good to be true. Face like an angel? People almost physically bowled over by the words that came from his mouth? And he’s a miracle worker to boot. He sounds like someone you’d find on cable TV in the middle of the night, preaching to thousands and throwing obsolete crutches and wheelchairs into the crowd, a creamy masculine voice inviting you to dial 1-800-LUV-JZUS to connect now.  

Read on in the book of Acts, and you’ll find out that Stephen paid the ultimate price for his charisma and commitment: he became the first disciple to be martyred, after Jesus himself of course. Like Jesus, he shamed the religious authorities for their hypocrisy and faithlessness, and for that he was dragged out and stoned to death. He forgave his murderers as he died.  

Don’t be like Stephen. Who was a lot like Jesus. One was enough.  

By which I mean: let’s not crave too many martyrs. There’s something about heroes that makes them particularly vulnerable to both overblown praise and undeserved criticism, the bearers of the crowd’s projections. One day, they’re mobbed with autograph requests, the next they’re stoned in public.  

When we put people up on a pedestal, particularly religious leaders, we just give them farther to fall, and then we don’t have them at all.  

Whether you’re on a rising pedestal facing the inevitable forces of gravity, or down below winching someone up, just stop. Find level ground. Look each other in the eye. See one another’s frailty and possibility. Give one another the dignity of being just another human.  

Prayer
Great Heart, Tina was right: We don’t need another hero. May we use our stones for building, not breaking.

About the Author
Rev. Molly Baskette is the lead pastor of First Church Berkeley UCC and the author of books about church renewal, parenting, spiritual growth and more. Sign up for her author newsletter or get information about her newest book at mollybaskette.com.