Six Milion $ Man - Good News Devotions

The Six Million Dollar Man

Ed Handkins

Remember the “six million dollar man?” In this TV show from the 1970’s the main character, Steve Austin - played by Lee Majors, was a test pilot almost killed in an accident. His legs, an arm and an eye were replaced with atomic powered replacements. He was stronger, faster and could see better than he could before the accident. He was sent on special missions for a government agency (OSI) – whoever they were.

For all practical purposes, Steve Austin had died in the crash. The six million dollars – a lot of money in 1973 – was what it took to save his life and give him a new purpose in life. The price was paid for him.

Steve Austin is a good metaphor for the Christian life. Before Christ we were dead in our sins. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay.

When we invited Jesus into our life we gave everything over to Him. When He came into our life, it was like we were being born again (John 3:16). We were dead but He gave us new life – eternal life.

Steve Austin was given an eye implant that helped him see things like he had never seen them before. When we are born into God’s family he gives us the ability to see things from a new perspective. We can see ourselves as a child of God. We can learn to love ourselves – not for self’s sake but for Christ sake. Not because we are loveable but because He is loveable. Our body is now the temple of God. We take care of the temple.

We can see the world from a new perspective. Life is sacred. We can love others – not for self’s sake but for Christ’s sake. Not because of what they can do for us but because they have been created in God’s image.

Because He paid the price for us we have a new mission in life. We can use our feet and hands to accomplish the work He has for us. He wants us to be on mission for Him. We are here to help others find that they too can have new life in Christ.

We truly are not our own. We have been bought with a price. We were spiritually dead but He gave us new life. All we can do is to spend the rest of our life saying “thank you” to Christ as we seek to carry out His mission.