Jesus

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)

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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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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Who Are You Lord?

Dr. Mike Bible Life Questions , , ,

 

And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:5 ESV.

who 1

Which Jesus are you familiar with?

Do you know the gregarious, celebrating Jesus who was accused by the religious leaders as a wine bibber and glutton? Or do you recognize the weeping Jesus who cried prior to resurrecting Lazarus? Or maybe the healing Jesus who gave sight to the blind?

Then what about the beaten Jesus with bleeding cuts and bruises prior to his crucifixion? The hungry Jesus who fasted for 40 days prior to his confrontation with Satan? The popular Jesus who drew crowds of thousands to hear what he had to say? Or the controversial Jesus who questioned the religious teachings of his day?

Maybe you are familiar with the runaway Jesus who left his family at the age of twelve for three days discussing Scripture with the teachers in the Jewish temple? How about the Jesus who hung around prostitutes, thieves, and debt collectors? Or the wimpy Jesus who hung around women all day?

Many probably identify the teaching Jesus who took every event of the day to expound on his kingdom and way of life. Or the Jewish Jesus who kept the Holy days outlined in the Bible. Or the rebellious Jesus who broke the religious traditions of the times. Then there is the praying Jesus who would rise early in the mornings to spend time with His Father. Or the carpenter Jesus who built tables, chairs, and houses for people in the community.

Possibly some may even recognize the obedient Jesus who resisted the temptation of Satan and trusted God for His destiny. Or the suffering Jesus who took everyone’s Sin unto himself while focusing on the joy that laid before him. Maybe even the dying Jesus who was unjustly accused and sentenced to death by the government establishment.

My question for today though, is how many identify the living Jesus now sitting next to his Father in authority for heaven and earth? How many see Jesus now sitting at the table along with all our brothers and sisters? How many of us identify with the Jesus who is returning to complete the Triune Project started at the foundation of the universe?

Whichever Jesus you identify with is probably where you find him today in your life. And as the seasons change while we walk with our King, Savior, and Friend, He reveals himself to us as we need to know. Meanwhile, enjoy the journey, share the good news, and allow Him full access to make his imprint in your life story.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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