Masculanity Role-model

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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