LightGrams
July 30, 2026
Volume 30, Number 26
As you surely know by now, few things happen in secret; there are cameras everywhere. One of those cameras is in Jonesboro, Arkansas, scanning traffic at a busy intersection. Recently the camera captured footage of a man in a wheelchair struggling to get to the other side.
After a few seconds, the video shows Spiderman jumping out of a Jeep waiting in line. He ran to help the man get across safely and then raced back to his vehicle to drive away. Are you reading this with skepticism? Don’t believe that Spiderman is real? In this case, Spiderman came to the rescue.
To be exact, Christopher Hellenthal was dressed in the costume that day; he works at Ultimate Air Trampoline Park in Jonesboro and that day was superhero day. Hellenthal learned later that the video was going viral on YouTube, and commented to the media, “I was like, ‘All right, I’m in the Spider-Man suit; let’s do this.’” And what about his newfound fame? “I hope that people, whether they’re being watched or not, will step up and do the right thing whenever the time calls for it.”
Doing good to help others is a prominent theme in the New Testament. We’re told of things like a young boy sharing his lunch so thousands of hungry people could eat (John 6:1-14), someone sharing a cup of cold water with another (Matthew 10:42), or villagers building a fire to warm shivering victims of a shipwreck (Acts 28:1,2). One of Jesus’ most famous parables was about a Samaritan who took time to help a wounded traveler who had been attacked by thieves (Luke 10:30-37). To conclude that parable, Jesus spoke these words, “Go and do likewise.”
In Acts 9 we’re introduced to a woman named Tabitha but known to most as Dorcas. Was she wealthy, powerful, or well-educated? Luke doesn’t mention any of those, but he does record that she made tunics and garments for widows in her neighborhood. When she died, those widows felt a great loss, so Peter, with the power of God, raised her back to life for a time (Acts 9:36-42). From what we know, she was not a superhero, but an ordinary woman showing love through good works.
Jesus told His apostles that He would soon be leaving them. One question that arose in their minds was, “Who will replace Jesus? Who will become the leader?” Jesus told them, in effect, that they should not aim to become great in the worldly sense: “… whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant … just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26-28).
Don’t believe in superheroes? I’ve seen them often, teaching children, taking meals to the sick, visiting the elderly, and calling someone who is lonely. They may not be wearing a costume, but with eyes of faith I can see they are regarded as “great” in the eyes of the Lord.
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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