In the 2009 film adaptation of Watchmen, flashbacks detail how scientist Jon Osterman was accidentally trapped in a radioactive test chamber and disintegrated. He later reconstitutes as a blue, luminous humanoid with near-limitless power and knowledge and is named “Doctor Manhattan” by the U.S. government. The movie then cuts to a reporter on television who announces, “The superman exists, and he is American.”
I found this statement fascinating because of the questions and concerns it raises. What are the implications of “the superman” being American? Does it merely mean that he is American in ethnicity and nationality? Or will he actually prioritize and act in American interests? What is his foreign policy, so to speak? Even if he were to work for the good of all humanity, could he be trusted to do so as an American?
Similarly, we can say, “The superman exists, and he is Jewish.” Jesus is the Messiah, the Word become flesh, God in human form. And he is Jewish! What are the implications of that? Some understandably may be worried. Some might minimize or even try to erase Jesus’ Jewish identity. Indeed, that is exactly what many throughout history, even in the church, have done. But this issue ultimately cannot be avoided. As events unfold and this age draws to a close, Israel, the church, and the nations will all have to reckon with what it means for the Savior of the world to be Jewish.