Jesus

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)

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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:

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Culture, Bible, Jesus

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , ,

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Do you truly want to know how strong your relationship with God is?

You will discover the answer in hindsight when you have gone through a serious trial which tests your belief.

Most recently, the world experienced the Covid pandemic. How well did you manage the crisis? Were you internally at peace or frantically worried through the process?

As I write this, I have a friend who is dealing with the death of a mate, another one with the loss of a job, and another who is currently battling through a major health issue. Each will discover through the process how real their faith is compared to where they think it is.

Over the years, I have come to better understand myself and others as we face the calamities and chaos that life throws our way. For example, during the pandemic those who allow the cultural noise to influence their beliefs had the most difficulty dealing with the crisis. Yet those who had a close relationship with our Lord calmly walked through the valley of death knowing whether they lived or died, they were in good hands.

Likewise, when mentoring others, I first try to understand their worldview before developing a directional process. My initial attempt is to determine the central core of one’s current beliefs. From there, we can point them to the target steps they need to pursue in their walk with the Triune God.

Though most Christians have a belief in God, their relationship with HIM begins from a cultural perspective. All they know about God is the result of the world around them. The more secular the culture, the more distorted is their view. As they mature in the faith, they begin to acquire Scriptural knowledge directly from the Bible. Not being properly educated in theological discourse, most of us begin to interpret the Book from a current cultural perspective instead of a historical, chronological basis. The result is again a distorted view of God and reality. However, as a serious disciple of HIS, the more time invested in studying Scripture, in prayer, and service toward others, the more our faith and trust in the living God becomes deeper and stronger. We become more aware of HIS work in us and around us.

In my opinion, the biggest challenge most Christian’s face today is being married to the culture or to the Bible rather than engaged to Jesus Christ. When Jesus becomes our central core and reference point in everything we do, then reality more quickly becomes solid footing. The Truth becomes more recognizable and livable. The outcome is a greater experience of God’s Spiritual fruit in our lives.

The love, joy, and peace described throughout the Bible becomes the divine nature living in you and being expressed out from you. You begin to truly live out your life as an image bearer of God Almighty. You become a living billboard for God’s Kingdom. God touches the lives of others through your walk with HIM.

Bottom-line: let Jesus be the central core of your belief system built upon Biblical Scripture and influentially tested against the culture. As a result, you will receive your crown of life and introduce others to our Lord and King. A win-win for all parties.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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