At some level all of have heroes.  They are folks we admire.  They are those we appreciate; those having accomplished great feats.  Sometimes it is those who have served us.  We seek to emulate our heroes.  We want to follow them.  We place them up there “on the pedestal.” 

That phrase “up on the pedestal” stems from ancient Greek architecture where their gods were hoisted in their buildings to lofted places of evident prominence.  The Romans followed by picking up this penchant and by the mid 19^th century, that phrase “up on the pedestal” began to be used for a person of lofted status. 

For the past one hundred and fifty years, it has been used as a compliment for a position reserved for the deserving to whom we ought to look.  If you were put “up on the pedestal,” you were being recognized for achievement and renown.  Though, in recent usage, the phrase involves the anticipation of a fall.  It has become a bit of a psychological warning to adjust your view of yourself.  It notes that these folks now have a long way to fall.  A least it is a caution for whom we are putting up on the pedestal.  Who is on your pedestal?

Recently, one of my heroes took a tumble off of “the pedestal.”  It is sad.  The actions have altered my perception of this individual.  I feel disappointed; and even, now, sad for where this has left this person.  It is another cautionary tale about our choices and where they ultimately take us.  Indeed, we make our decisions, and then, our decisions make us. 

Wisdom teaches us to make heroes only of the dead, so as to never be disappointed.  All of us are sinful and have clay feet.  We all fall.  Many of us have experienced the grace of God in Christ to be forgiven and brought into His family in new birth and regeneration (Titus 3:5).  Grace is greater than our sin.  No tumble off the pedestal is an unrecoverable error.  I love the forgiveness of God offered in Jesus Christ.  Good Friday accomplished that much!

But, what do we do with our disappointment?  Let me suggest two remedies.  First, we ought to pray for the person who was once on our pedestal.  Ask for God’s fresh work in their lives.  Second, we ought to keep looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Jesus is set on the pedestal by virtue of the unchanging nature of His character.  “In Him is no sin.”  1 John 3:5.   Paul adds the exclamation point with  “He…who knew no sin…”.   2 Corinthians 5:21.  Sinless perfection allows Him to be permanently affixed up on the pedestal.  One of the glories of knowing Jesus Christ is that He will never disappoint us.  He will never fall from the pedestal.  He is worthy of our trust and worthy of our adoration.  Praise be to the living Christ!  He’s perfect.  We’re not.  In His death, He resolved the problem of our sin.  In the merits of His life, He shapes a vision of how we ought to live and to what we are to aspire.  He is disappointing-proof.  The book of Hebrews calls Him, “The Captain of our salvation…” Hebrews 2:10.  Our Captain will never let us down or frustrate us as we resolutely look to Him. 

Fundamentally, worship is about seating Jesus Christ on the pedestal of our preoccupation in life.  It is about recognizing in Him a sinless perfection that brings us to adore Him.  And, yes, “He is worthy” of being seen as such…because that is who He is.  He is one hero who will never fail or fall…off the pedestal.  I love those heroes we can count on…for the long haul…in life…and in eternity.  Hail, to Jesus Christ…freshly ensconced on the pedestal of our vision of what is central and defining in the few days of life we get on this earth.  He’ll always be rightfully seated there…on the pedestal; the only rightful occupant on that seat.  Indeed, He is worthy!  

Now, let’s all get out of that seat, and let Him sit down!