They call him Clark Kent. He appears a bit, um, nerdy. He wears thick-rimmed glasses rather than contacts. He wears them due to a condition that causes his eyes to cross. He wears them right until the moment he becomes Superman.
His name is Stephen Nedoroscik. Due to his prowess on the pommel horse in men’s gymnastics, he became an overnight sensation the first weeknight of competition during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The only reason he made the team is because he is good (read: GREAT) at one thing: the pommel horse. And due to his brilliance in the event, he helped earn team U.S.A. their first medal in the sport in 16 years. He claims he cannot see when he maneuvers his way around the horse. He feels everything with his hands.
As you probably already know, the internet blew up with hilarious memes picturing Nedoroscik. One of my personal favorites was a picture of him appearing to be asleep minutes before his routine. The clever caption read, “Jesus in the bottom of the boat just before His disciples come to wake Him up.” Ha.
It’s true. The NBC camera crew panned his way countless times before his big moment. He was seen, thick glasses and all, head back, seeming to be fully aloof to what was happening and about to happen. He was in full Clark Kent mode. He appeared nerdy. He struck viewers as a bit removed from reality. If looks could tell the whole story, his would be a clumsy, half-witted geek. (Not to mention, if you do a little digging, you would learn he is an electrical engineer who can solve the Rubik’s Cube in under 10 seconds. In other words, a card-carrying nerd.)
But looks don’t tell the whole story. It took Lois Lane a long time to figure out who Clark Kent really was. When the Bercy Arena announcer called Stephen Nedoroscik’s name last Monday night, Superman emerged. The glasses came off. The warm-up windbreaker was tossed to the floor. Intensity flared. Muscles taut. And a master put on a 40-second display of brilliance on the pommel horse. It was as if Clark had heard there was an emergency in Metropolis. Nerd boy no more, it was time to shine — and shine he did. A podium finish for team U.S.A. for the first time in 16 years. The world couldn’t believe what they had witnessed and the cameras could not take their lensed eyes off the jubilant, transformed superhero.
He came to Paris a supposed dweeb. He leaves a hero, the champion who dominated the pommel horse.
***
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked Philip. There’s no way a Nazarene could amount to much. Especially the guy they were alluding to. He looked dull and dry. Not only was He not handsome, He was ugly. He acquainted himself with sorrow. People walked the other way when He approached (see Isaiah 53:2-3). He didn’t have money. Crazy declarations came out of His mouth. He was called every name in the book — including drunkard and glutton. If looks could tell the whole story, His would be a nobody from nowhere with no respectable future. Speaking of future, His supposedly ended at the early age of 33. Accused of criminal activity. Punished on a cross.
But as we have learned, looks never tell the whole story. Clark Kent was Superman. Stephen Nedoroscik is Pommel Horse Boss. Jesus of Nazareth is indeed the Messiah of God. When his name was called on the first Easter Sunday, the death-conquering God-Man emerged victorious. Be careful judging a book by its cover.
You’d think we would learn. Not only did something good come from Nazareth, the greatest good in all the universe was a Nazarene. A kid shepherd defeated a giant and became king. A centenarian fathered a nation. A ex-murderer planted churches in Rome-dominated cities.
The Stephen Nedoroscik story is yet another illustrative analogy of the wider reality that the kingdom of heaven does not function on appearances. When it comes to the ways of God in the world, things aren’t always what they seem. The character of God is often more on display in the nursery than the sanctuary. God is often found in the ignored widow than the personality on the platform. The action of God is often more concentrated in a poor, forgotten, ignored neighborhood than in hallways of power and prestige. The love of God is revealed more in a spouse who chooses to forgive than any song on the radio. The righteousness of God is more present when a foster child is cared for instead of attending yet another self-improvement Bible Study. The unconditional and unmerited favor of God is experienced when it appears we least deserve it.
Stephen Nedoroscik appeared un-athletic and totally disassociated from the moment. But when it was time, he ascended the pommel horse and everyone knew. Jesus of Nazareth appeared unassuming, poor, and bizarre. But when we see Him again, He will have ascended the white horse and everyone will know.
This is so great!!