Jesus

The Tough Jesus

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

1 JOHN 2:5 (EXB)

But if someone ·obeys [keeps] ·God’s teaching [L his word], then in that person ·God’s love [or love for God] has ·truly reached its goal [been fulfilled/perfected/completed]. This is how we can be sure we are ·living in God [L in him].

We all easily agree with Jesus when HE speaks about compassion, service, and justice. But what about those hard sayings?

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48) is a challenging goal. How does that compare with your standard of righteousness?

How about forgiveness? How many times are we to forgive those who hurt us? Peter thought seven times is a good standard before you put the person in your unforgiveness tent. But what did Jesus say?  “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Mt. 18:22). Now 490 times raises the forgiveness bar to an all-new time high. You might as well say indefinitely. (I don’t know any person who keeps count of such times unless they are working hard towards 491 to put the person in their personal unforgiveness prison.)

What about seeking to become great in something? Where you are #1 in your field. Looked up and praise by your fellow peers. How does Jesus expect you to achieve that goal? His disciples had similar desires. Jesus replied to them and to us with these words: “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all” (Mk.9:25). His way isn’t about manipulation, power plays, and putting spin on one’s viewpoint. If you want to be a leader in your field, learn to serve those around you from a humble perspective. Be a servant and help them achieve their desires. There is no glory in being a servant, but servant-hood is God’s way of leadership.

Where does evil come from? Jesus would often repeat what makes a person good or evil comes from the heart.  “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? (Mt. 9:4).
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander (Mt. 15:19).
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45). So how does one replace the evilness found in one’s soul?  It begins with God’s Word and is strengthen through HIS Spirit. When God’s values are planted and allowed to bloom in a person’s heart, the fruit of righteousness and joy of living are expressed in everyday life.

Repentance is about changing your current worldview. When you replace your mental inputs with God’s knowledge of life, you begin to view the world from HIS perspective. You begin to better understand your potential and shortcomings. You acknowledge your need for a Savior. You gratefully surrender your soul and support the King of Kings. As you mature in the faith, you grow in grace and knowledge of your Lord. You become a servant within HIS kingdom. You learn to govern and serve others from HIS perspective. You realize the importance of living life mutually submitting yourself with others. You find life becomes more of a romantic adventure. Yes, life is hard. There are trials and sufferings. Yet, you want others to experience the awesome joy and peace you have within yourself even through these tough times. For you know all good things come from your heavenly Father. And you want everyone to know what you know about HIM, HIS Son, and HIS Spirit.

Yes Jesus comes across as tough at times. But HIS purpose is for us to reach out to HIM. To accept HIS authority in our life. To follow HIS ways. To reach out to HIM as HE as already reached out to us. For HE is the reason you live. He wants you to know your are included in HIS story. HE knows your potential. HE is preparing you for an eternal role in HIS family business: the government of God. For today HE may be tough on us. But HIS plans for you and I are greater than anything we can even imagine.   

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

No Jesus

Dr. Mike 2023 , ,

Mark 8:38

“For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

As a young college person watching some of my favorite riveting heroes on screen, I would leave the theater somewhat perplexed. I recall completing a humanity’s course where we analyzed various movies from the director’s perspective. We learned what we saw and didn’t see was purposely conducted to produce a certain affect. Rarely nothing was shown or not shown on purpose. Everything was constructed to leave the audience with an unspoken message.

Many times I watched and enjoyed these action packed movies. Where the teenage superhero saves humanity from another world apocalypse. But I would then leave asking myself how come God is never favorable mentioned. Instead, HE is nowhere to be found. In HIS place, the super villain is given some extraordinary power of a god. And then, us less endowed humans must rise up to destroy him. God is usually entirely left out of the picture.

Movies showcase culture.

If I was God’s enemy, the plan would be never to mention HIS name. I would eliminate any symbol, knowledge, and reference to HIS existence. I would also instruct my subjects to behave in a similar manner. We see this practice lived out within communistic nations. In China and North Korea, the political party considers Christianity the enemy of the state. They do everything within their power to destroy its existence.

Where Jesus is removed from cultural significance, freedom dies.

As you watch many of the classical old movies from the early twenty century, you will see favorable references about God. Scripture and prayer was acceptable acts presented on screen. Today, if shown, they are lambasted.    

Look around you. How does the culture portray Jesus? Can you find HIM in the movies? Music? Books? Is HE discussed in the classroom? Newsroom? Marketplace?

Is HE shown respect due HIM? Or simply ignored?

The founding fathers of America acknowledged HIM. They designed a governmental structure based of their understanding of human nature and its potential. They were Biblically literate. They understood and practiced the moral code defined from its roots. Perfect they were not. But they strived to live out HIS teachings.

Today, we live in a society where many have forgotten the importance of knowing Jesus. The consequences of their lives demonstrate the outcome. They seek purpose and meaning from temporary passions. They don’t understand the difference between divine and carnal desires. They have thrown away Life’s Answer in pursuit of intellectual ignorance. Love and Truth are now subjective personal constructions rather than objective eternal  values. When Jesus is removed from society, the majority of people suffer. Only those who are in power benefit. Everyone else becomes their enemy. Instead of serving the masses, they exercise power over them.

Jesus knows and sees what is happening. HE birthed the Church. The Church continues to teach about HIM and HIS message. HIS ways are anti-cultural. But HE is the link who integrates everyone together.  Without HIM, turmoil. With HIM, peace and grace abound. Those who already walk with HIM know the difference. Their challenge is making HIM known to everyone else. This is the saints adventurous journey in Christ!        

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

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