By Lois Hewitt

Good vs evil. It’s the epic struggle of all time. I have always been drawn to the, for lack of a better term, anti-hero. The one who doesn’t intend on being the hero but is because of a strong and unwavering moral compass.

Last night I started watching the second season of Reacher. The character lives a simple life without many things, is a loner and does the right thing without even a second thought.  Other anti-heroes I adore are Walt Longmire, Raylan Givens and Dean Winchester. All are good in a very flawed sort of way but are selfless to the core.

I wonder why these types of characters resonate with so many people.  Is it because with them good always triumphs over evil?  The big, bad corporation falls to the ground in a blaze of righteousness.  The evil oppressor gets their due in a hail of justice. Yes, the victor is the good one.

These same heroes who take out the evildoers are also full of unrestrained compassion. Reacher saves a neglected dog.  Walt Longmire helps an injured horse. Dean Winchester is a sucker for the underdog. 

We, as a society, have always needed heroes. Ancient mythology is full of heroic characters going up against insurmountable odds. Fairy tales, old and new, are teeming with victors of the oppressed. And we love them and repeat the stories age to age.

We need to see right win over wrong. I think it is inherent in human DNA. Obviously, there are those who have rewired that genetic code.  For unfortunately good is not recognized without its counterpart of bad.  Just like the light that chases away the darkness, so is good vs. evil.

As much as I enjoy a story told of an anti-hero, I must recognize the greatest of all of them, Jesus.  He was so hated by the establishment and so loved by those who were (are) in need.  Jesus broke bread not with the high end church types, but with the sick, the criminal and the morally bankrupt.

Jesus knew His purpose. To heal the sick and infirmed. To give hope to the burdened. To give peace to the troubled. To give love to the lonely. His mission for His time on earth was one of love and preparation for His return. 

And return He will. He will make right all the wrongs. He will have His vengeance on the evil ones. His return will play out like any vengeance movie, but multiplied.

My love for Jesus started because He loved me first. He saved my from my evil nature. He comforted me when I cried and set me on the right path.  But now I see that He is more than that (which would be enough) but He is the Hero we long for and need to save us from an evil much bigger than we.

The anti-hero always has detractors and sceptics. Those who will come up with anything to discredit them but our anti- Hero  is unfazed by the negativity. Those who believe in the power of the Hero (no longer can He be characterized as anti) will stand firm for Him.

Like in any good episode, the Hero takes some beating, giving evil a sense of victory but it is short lived. When you feel defeated and oppressed and don’t know if you can go on, remember you have the greatest of all Heroes in your corner. Look to Jesus for victory and He will show you wonders never imagined.

As much as we love Walt, Raylan and Dean, Jesus is the only one worthy of our praise and adoration. He alone is the Hero we yearn for. He will not disappoint.