Are we certain that Jesus was a hero model of his time. Certainly one can argue that people turned him into a hero model over time. But, his historicity is a very interesting thread, that usually goes on for pages and brings forth users who I do not see about too often anymore. But there are some great threads you can search on this topic.
The topic does slightly interest me after hearing your praise of it, so I may check it out.
However, from my childhood interpretations and a couple historical references, he does indeed come off as something of a model.
It's kind of like Hercules.
I'm sure Hercules may have been a real person who fought for the people, blah blah blah.
I do not believe that he could lift mountains or beat up lions and hell hounds, that's ridiculous IMO
Same with Jesus, I'm sure he was real, and a good guy of the times that enjoyed helping people out.
However, I do not believe he could turn water into wine, cure blindness, and walk on water, again it's just ridiculous.
Nor do I believe his mother was a Virgin, that he is the son of whatever God, or that he came back to life.
So while debating the topic of "was Jesus really a good guy" may sound interesting, it's usually pointless to me.
It doesn't matter what kind of guy he was because at the end of the day all the stories about him are just that, stories.
If people want to believe a two thousand year old book of desert fairy tales then who am I to judge them.
I'll just be here in logic-world, drinking my reality-coffee and eating my morning slice of materialist-pie.
They can debate their religious figures among themselves.
Then again there is the entertainment value....