A Man’s Man – Jesus

Dr. Mike 2023 ,

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” John 19:5

What kind of man was Jesus?

Initially when we start reading the gospel accounts, we may project our values and characteristics upon Him. Whenever he behaves like we do, we see ourselves. When he behaves differently than ourselves, we may ignore that side of him.

But what kind of man was Jesus?

I grew up in a household with two other brothers. Both of them took after Dad. Dad was a self-reliant man, skilled with his hands. He could fix or build anything. In fact, he built the last three homes we lived in. He was a carpenter by trade. And a very good one. Today, my two brothers are like him in many ways. They are self-assured and can build or fix anything around the house.

My temperament and natural abilities didn’t follow dad’s, but mom’s. So I became her assistant around the house. I think today we would call me a mommy’s boy. But at the time, I was just helping her out around the house. As she explained later in life, her goal was to make me into a gentleman’s gentleman. And in many ways she did.

What does this have to do with Jesus?

Everything. He was a Jewish male following the cultural traditions of his time. He was home-schooled. Learned so well at the age of twelve he debated with the teachers of the law in the Jerusalem synagogue during the feast.

He was a carpenter before starting his public ministry. The biblical translation is better identified as a stone mason; a builder of stone structures. For some reason, I have great difficulty thinking Jesus was a physical wimp. Lifting stones for a living doesn’t picture a 100 lb. weakling, but a man with physical strength.

During his ministry, he spoke before large audiences. They didn’t have microphones with sound systems to magnify his voice back then. To have a strong voice which reached out to the masses required a large, healthy set of lungs.

When He recruited his disciples, they followed him. And they were a mixture from different tribes who normally wouldn’t hang out together. But Jesus’ leadership abilities kept them together molding them into the foundation of His future Church.

Even when he stood before Pilate after being beaten and humiliated, Pontus Pilate was impressed with the Man. Jesus didn’t exhibit fear in the situation. He commanded a kingly presence. Jesus demonstrated more courage at the time than Pilate. Pilate buckled under the political pressure from the crowd. Jesus marched toward His cross.

Jesus was a man’s man.

The women of his time knew it. There was something different with this man. He exhibited all the traits of a real man. But there was also the other side. The compassion expressed through words and touch. The humility with strength to stoop down to their level and raise them up to his level. Jesus was a man’s man and a woman’s man. He was humanity’s man.

Today’s culture has de-emphasized the masculine side of Jesus. Paintings of him showcase a long hair, feminine guy. (Even though the Bible states that long hair upon a male is unnatural.)

Without Jesus, the world runs amok. They have difficulty defining a man or woman. They have no objective standard of real masculinity. But with Jesus, we have an example of how God intended humanity to express manhood.

So if you are a male seeking a role model to pattern your life after, choose Jesus. Read the gospel accounts. Study how Jesus related with other people. How did he present and express himself. He was and is the best mentor I found these past fifty years leading me to become the person I am today. My only wish is I could have started earlier.     

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

If I Was Satan

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Revelation 12:9,12

“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him… But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

1 Peter 5:8

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

In any competitive battle, knowing one’s opponent helps in the development of strategy and tactics to win. Satan, our adversary, is one enemy we all face. The better we know and understand his purpose, character, and motive, the more attuned we are in combating his influence in our space.

 Jesus knew him (Lk. 4:1). He spoke about him continually with his disciples. He warned them of the devil’s deceitful nature (Jn. 8:44). His desire to oppress people (Jn. 10:21). To destroy young people (Psalm 106.37). To enslave people (Mt. 8:28). The adversary aim is opposite of Jesus’. The enemy’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy you (Jn. 10:10). His aim is opposite of God’s. Jesus wants you to experience the best of life (Jn. 10:10).

So knowing Satan’s character and aim, and if I was him, how would I put in place a strategy today? If one looks around the world today, the answer becomes obvious.

Knowing that Jesus plans to return to earth, I would first do everything to slow down the process. I would be a spiritual terrorist. I would hit God by destroying his plans for humanity.

Since the beginning of creation, God planned to adopt humans into His family (Eph 1:5). Thus, what better way to prevent Him from having a family than by eliminating births? Abortion reduces the number of children in His family. In fact, the more lives one can prevent from happening, the longer it will take to fulfill God’s number of children He plans to accept into His family.

Then I would create an alternative utopia for humanity to pursue. Whatever it would take to remove the vision of God’s Kingdom is a win for Satan. I would also place people who deny God’s existence into positions of authority. This would include the government, entertainment, and communication networks. Any talk about God would have to be cancelled. God’s name, purpose, and character would need to be assassinated.

Instead of objective truth, we would make truth a subjective perspective. Each individual would be an empowered god. The more confusion and chaos sprinkled throughout culture would produce fear. Fear leads to emotional breakdowns and mental confusion. The cycle between fear and confusion stops people from reaching their human potential. Plus lead them to potential destructive outcomes.

We would also dummy down people. Teach them to follow their feelings. Critical thinking and reasoning would need to stop. The longer we could keep children from growing up, the less impact they will have in the world for positive change.

We would keep people overly active so they don’t have time to reflect on the purpose of life. We would destroy the meaning of life. By killing God in the minds of people, they would only have themselves to praise. And after we destroy God in their life, we would have them turn against each other with racial and gender divide.

The sole purpose of our attack is to destroy the human race. As long as humans fail to recognize their eternal purpose and fight for their rights, evil will be allowed to roam their homes, streets, and country. We would emphasize guilt without redemption. We would glorify the pleasure of sin without consequences. And we would praise immorality rather than godliness. We will practice a destructive lifestyle. We will aim for the same moral decline which has led every great nation toward oblivion. History has shown there is nothing new under the sun. Every nation without God as their center has declined into oblivion.

Yes, if I was Satan this is how we would tactfully implode humanity. But God, in His foresight knows this. Satan is simply a piece of the puzzle which helps humanity to discover God. As one comes to know God and compare His way with Satan’s worldly way, the choice becomes obvious. God’s way produces a life that flourishes for all parties. HIS way provides freedom for all. HIS way leads to a fulfilling life for all. Without Satan, we would not have anything to compare between both ways of life.

The last chapter of the Bible reveals God is victorious. Those in Christ join Him to start a new age where heaven and earth are united. And Satan is no more. But until then, one needs to know who the enemy is and how God’s ways are superior. Know your enemy. But know God more. Always remember – the Triune God is your foundation for victory.   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Forgiven People Forgive

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Colossians 3:13

“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.“

Luke 7:47

“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Friendship is a two-way street. One gives and the other reciprocates. Both enjoy the relationship and hanging out with each other.

Generally speaking, men associate with others who have similar interests. Women are more complicated and share time with others who have similar characteristics. Generally speaking. What we can agree on is both sexes desire meaningful relationships.

One of the attributes of friendship is the ability to forgive each other. Friends forgive friends. Without forgiveness, relationships breakup.

Our relationship with Jesus began with Him first forgiving us. He demonstrated His love by forgiving us in word and action. He continues to forgive as the relationship grows. As He pours out His love upon us, one cannot help but share His love with others.

As He forgives us, we forgive others. As He has forgiven me, I forgive you. Forgiven people forgive others.

The act of forgiveness is a with-God way of life. God forgives constantly. His way is always to keep the door open for the relationship to grow. God forgives us. We forgive others. Others forgive those in their life. The process continues.

Since God forgives me, I also forgive myself. I may think the self is unworthy of forgiveness, and be right. But God doesn’t. And that is what makes the difference. The God-Man sacrificed His life for me. No matter my actions or heart or thoughts, He forgave me. He determines my worth. Forgiven people forgive.  

As I forgive others, like God has forgiven me, I find myself free to love. I am not bound in chains of vengeance. I am freed from victimhood. Resentment dissipates into sorriness for the other. My prayer is for the other to come know the Triune God and experience the same freedom of grace.

Imagine a world where every person automatically forgave themselves and others. Isn’t this the Kingdom of God in action? Forgiven people forgiving those who don’t deserve to be forgiven. Must be a God thing.

  Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Learn, Integrate, and Grow with Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved