The Hero’s Journey
By Joe Caruso Stories
Have you ever climbed a challenging trail through a forest or up a mountainside, to finally be rewarded at the end of your journey with a breathtaking view?
We recently had an opportunity like this when we went away for a few days to Collingwood, Ontario, about three hours north of our home. During the winter, Collingwood is prime ski country, and in the summer it’s a great place for hiking.
Our trek wasn’t long, but it was difficult at times, taking us along steep rock-covered trails and through cool caves, which were a relief on a hot August afternoon. Throughout our journey, there were signs to guide us along our way. When we finally reached the top of the hillside, we were rewarded with a beautiful view of the city of Collingwood, with the Georgian Bay in the background – A perfect ending to a spectacular day.
An adventure like this reminds me in some ways of the hero’s journey. The hero’s journey is a common storytelling structure where the main character is transformed into a hero through a series of events.
It begins when the main character is called to leave the comforts of their surroundings to embark on a new world filled with obstacles, challenges and danger. The main character meets a mentor to help guide them along their journey. As they navigate the many tests and trials, they get closer to their biggest challenge yet.
The story climaxes as the hero executes their final challenge, claiming victory and emerging from battle transformed. During this final scene, the hero triumphantly returns home, having completed their task to save the day. Think of Luke Skywalker, who transformed from a farm boy to a Jedi Knight, in the movie Star Wars.
The reason the hero’s journey resonates so deeply is because it mirrors life itself. We all know what it’s like to face setbacks and be tested in ways that feel beyond our strength, only to press on anyway. At its core, the hero’s journey is not about triumph without cost, but about transformation through struggle.
Jesus’ Hero’s Journey
Once we understand the hero’s journey, we see this structure play out in many novels and movies. The life of Christ, in literary terms, follows the hero’s journey structure.
Jesus left the comfort of his heavenly home to be born as a baby, to willingly confront and defeat the power of sin in a broken world. He experienced ridicule and scorn and was crucified on a cross.
But the hero’s journey never ends in defeat. The cross could not keep Jesus down. After three days, Jesus rose again to conquer sin and death. He did this so we, his bride, could experience salvation and spend eternity with him in Heaven, where he now sits at the right hand of the Father.
What a powerful story of the ultimate hero, Jesus Christ, who once and for all broke the chains of sin and death. He didn’t avoid suffering but walked faithfully through it. As a result, he was transformed and exalted to be our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Our Hero’s Journey
The hero’s journey is a story filled with drama and emotion. As Christians, God has called each of us to our own hero’s journey. We weren’t designed to watch passively as Jesus, our saviour, serves us. God has called us to participate with him. He asks us to willingly accept the adventure he’s prepared for us.
Jesus’ call to salvation is a call to the adventure of a lifetime. Jesus reminds us that we are not of this world, and he promises to send a comforter to help us. Jesus is preparing us for our hero’s journey.
He doesn’t say it will be an easy adventure. On the contrary, the adventure Jesus offers is riddled with persecution, suffering and pain. But he promises, if we put our faith and trust in him, he will walk with us every step of the way. He promises to give us the strength, not only to walk strong but to help others walk their own hero’s journey.
Finally, Jesus promises an eternal reward for those who complete the journey, or win the race, as Paul puts it. Our prize is eternity with Jesus. We, the bride, will be eternally united with our groom – no more persecution, no more pain. At the end of our journey, we will be together with God. What a joy it will be to stand transformed and hear those words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
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