Superheroes, the message of "Spider-Man"

"This guy, Flash Thompson, he probably deserved what happened. But just because you can beat him up doesn't give you the right to. Remember, with great power, comes great responsibility." — Uncle Ben

Spider-Man is one of the most familiar and popular characters in the cannon of superheroes. He is popular with kids, teens, and adults — and that was part of what made him unique. This was an integral part of the popularity when the character was first created. It has been said that Peter Parker — the boy behind the mask — exuded "self-obsessions with rejection, inadequacy, and loneliness," which young readers related to. By March 1963, Spider-Man was fast becoming a cultural icon. In a 1965 survey by Esquire Magazine, Spider-Man was named a revolutionary icon alongside Bob Dylan and Che Guevera. That shows the power this story had with young readers.

His popularity hasn't waned. Spider-Man is still a featured balloon every Thanksgiving Day in the annual Macy's parade, and the four Spider-Man films released since 2002 have been a boon to the Box Office and Sony Pictures, who produces them.

But that's not all Spider-Man has to offer. Part of what makes the story resonate is the ideology behind the mask. Peter Parker doesn't set out to be a hero. He's a kid who, through a science experiment gone wrong, is endowed with powers. Like every normal kid, he struggles with finding an identity.

Early in the story his Uncle Ben provides the advice that is the foundation for the Spider-Man narrative — "with great power, comes great responsibility." This is a lesson Peter learns the hard way, but something he takes to heart.

This isn't so different from the lesson we get in Scripture. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus puts it this way: "But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48). The idea being that those who are given much are expected to contribute much.

What I think people embrace so much through Spider-Man is the way Peter Parker wrestles with this idea. As I said, he isn't some superhero, he's a kid. He's a kid who gets these extraordinary powers then has to decide what to do with them. He wrestles with his own ambition, apathy and desires. He wrestles with temptation to use these powers for personal gain.

But, in the end, he decides that the only way to honor his uncle is to live out the call put in his life. Near the end of "Spider-Man" (2002), Peter says, "Not everyone is meant to make a difference. But for me, the choice to lead an ordinary life is no longer an option."

While we might disagree with the first part of that statement, as Christians we are called to something extraordinary. Jesus calls us the salt and light. If we are the light of the world, we will stand out. How can we not.

Again, considering this message in the context of our current justice series and the words of Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God,” we are called to step out of our comfort zone and stand for something. Jesus has given us everything through His sacrifice on the cross, so we are expected to use what we have for the glory of His kingdom. "With great power, comes great responsibility."