Heroes’ Day is an occasion to honor and celebrate the courage, sacrifice, and impact of heroes who have shaped our lives and communities. In the Bible, we find many stories about men and women whose lives reflect profound faith and steadfastness. These biblical heroes serve as timeless examples of virtues we can aspire to in our own lives.

Abraham: The Father of Faith

Abraham, often referred to as the “father of faith,” is a towering figure in the Bible. His story is one of unwavering trust in God. When God called Abraham to leave his homeland and go to a place he would be shown, Abraham obeyed without hesitation (Genesis 12:1-4). His willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac, trusting in God’s promise, is a testament to his profound faith (Genesis 22:1-18).

Moses: The Deliverer

Moses is celebrated as the deliverer of Israel from slavery in Egypt. His life is marked by acts of extraordinary bravery and faith. Despite his initial reluctance, Moses answered God’s call to lead the Israelites out of bondage, facing Pharaoh’s wrath and the perils of the wilderness (Exodus 3-14). His leadership and unwavering reliance on God highlight the importance of faith and perseverance.

Esther: The Courageous Queen

Esther, a Jewish queen in Persia, displayed remarkable courage and wisdom. When her people faced destruction, Esther risked her life by approaching King Xerxes uninvited to plead for their salvation. Her famous declaration, “If I perish, I perish,” (Esther 4:16) shows her bravery and selflessness in the face of great danger.

David: The Shepherd King

David, the shepherd boy who became king, is renowned for his faith and courage. His defeat of the giant Goliath with a sling and a stone is a powerful example of trusting in God’s strength rather than human might (1 Samuel 17). David’s life, though marked by imperfections, is a testament to God’s grace and the power of repentance.

Daniel: The Uncompromising Prophet

Daniel’s story is one of steadfast faith in a foreign land. Despite the threat of death, he refused to give up on his faith, continuing to pray to God even when it was not allowed. His survival in the lions’ den (Daniel 6) is a powerful reminder of God’s protection over those who remain faithful to Him.

Mary: The Obedient Servant

Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplifies obedience and humility. When the angel Gabriel announced that she would bear the Son of God, Mary’s response was one of submission to God’s will: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38). Her faith and willingness to accept God’s plan played a crucial role in the story of salvation.

Paul: The Zealous Apostle

Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became one of the most zealous apostles of Christ. His missionary journeys, tireless preaching, and numerous epistles have profoundly shaped Christian theology and practice. Paul’s transformation and dedication to spreading the gospel, despite immense suffering and persecution, are inspiring examples of redemption and commitment (Acts 9, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Conclusion

As we celebrate Heroes’ Day, these biblical figures remind us that true heroism is rooted in faith, obedience, and a willingness to serve God’s purpose, even at great personal cost. Their stories encourage us to cultivate these virtues in our own lives, trusting that God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

In the ancient city of Jerusalem, during the time of Roman rule, there lived a man named Jesus of Nazareth. He was known for his teachings of love, compassion, and forgiveness, and many people followed him, believing him to be the Messiah promised by the prophets.

The freedom feast

Luke 22: 8-23

As the Passover festival approached, a feast where they celebrated freedom and remember how their ancestors escaped from slavery in Egypt, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem with his chosen followers. The city was buzzing with excitement and anticipation, but Jesus knew that his time on earth was drawing to a close. He gathered his closest followers for a meal, known as the Last Supper, where he broke bread and shared wine, telling them that these symbols represented his body and blood, soon to be sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus is betrayed by his close friend

Luke 22:39-49

That night, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed really hard, knowing tough times were coming. One of his friends, Judas Iscariot, turned on him, and Jesus got arrested by the temple guards and taken to the Jewish leaders. Even though they accused him of things he didn’t do and didn’t give him a fair trial, Jesus stayed quiet, knowing this was all part of God’s big plan to save everyone.

Jesus is nailed on the cross

Luke 22: 63- 23:1-43

Condemned to death by crucifixion, Jesus was mocked, beaten, and forced to carry his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem. At Golgotha, also known as Calvary, he was nailed to the cross alongside two criminals. Amidst his suffering, Jesus showed compassion, forgiving his killers and promising paradise to one of the criminals who repented.

Jesus dies and is buried

Luke 23:44- 24:12

As darkness descended upon the land, Jesus cried out, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” With these words, he breathed his last breath and surrendered his life. The earth shook, and the curtain of the temple was torn in two, symbolising the breaking of the barrier between God and humanity.

Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and laid in a tomb, sealed with a large stone. For three days, his followers mourned his death, but on the morning of the third day, something miraculous happened. The tomb was found empty, and angels proclaimed, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said!”

Jesus is alive!

Luke 24:13-49

Jesus appeared to his disciples, alive and victorious over death, fulfilling the prophecies and proving his divinity. His resurrection became the cornerstone of the Christian faith, offering hope of eternal life to all who believe in him.

From that day forward, Easter has been celebrated as a triumph of light over darkness, love over hatred, and life over death. It is a time of joyous celebration, as Christians around the world commemorate the resurrection of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

The full story about the death and resurrection of Jesus is found in the following scriptures;

Matthew chapters 26-28

Luke chapters 22-24

John chapters 17-21

Sin

(Matthew 18.6Matthew 7Matthew 21Matthew 22Mark 9.42)

1 Jesus said to his disciples, “Things that make people fall into sin are bound to happen, but how terrible for the one who makes them happen! 2 It would be better for him if a large millstone were tied around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 So watch what you do!

“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in one day, and each time he comes to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Faith

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Make our faith greater.”

6 The Lord answered, “If you had faith as big as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Pull yourself up by the roots and plant yourself in the sea!’ and it would obey you.

A Servant's Duty

7 “Suppose one of you has a servant who is plowing or looking after the sheep. When he comes in from the field, do you tell him to hurry along and eat his meal? 8 Of course not! Instead, you say to him, ‘Get my supper ready, then put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may have your meal.’ 9 The servant does not deserve thanks for obeying orders, does he? 10 It is the same with you; when you have done all you have been told to do, say, ‘We are ordinary servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Jesus Heals Ten Men

11 As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 He was going into a village when he was met by ten men suffering from a dreaded skin disease. They stood at a distance 13 and shouted, “Jesus! Master! Have pity on us!”

14 Jesus saw them and said to them, “Go and let the priests examine you.”

On the way they were made clean. 15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself to the ground at Jesus' feet and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus spoke up, “There were ten who were healed; where are the other nine? 18 Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Get up and go; your faith has made you well.”

The Coming of the Kingdom

(Matthew 24.23-28Matthew 37-41)

20 Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. His answer was, “The Kingdom of God does not come in such a way as to be seen. 21 No one will say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’; because the Kingdom of God is within you.”

22 Then he said to the disciples, “The time will come when you will wish you could see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 There will be those who will say to you, ‘Look, over there!’ or, ‘Look, over here!’ But don't go out looking for it. 24 As the lightning flashes across the sky and lights it up from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer much and be rejected by the people of this day. 26 As it was in the time of Noah so shall it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 Everybody kept on eating and drinking, and men and women married, up to the very day Noah went into the boat and the flood came and killed them all. 28 It will be as it was in the time of Lot. Everybody kept on eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 On the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and killed them all. 30 That is how it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.

31 “On that day someone who is on the roof of a house must not go down into the house to get any belongings; in the same way anyone who is out in the field must not go back to the house. 32 Remember Lot's wife! 33 Those who try to save their own life will lose it; those who lose their life will save it. 34 On that night, I tell you, there will be two people sleeping in the same bed: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. 35 Two women will be grinding meal together: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind.”

37 The disciples asked him, “Where, Lord?”

Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a dead body, the vultures will gather.”

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him , through whom they come! 2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

3 ¶ Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. 6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. 7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

11 ¶ And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them , he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

20 ¶ And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 22 And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it . 23 And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them , nor follow them . 24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. 34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is , thither will the eagles be gathered together.

Luke 17