JESUS CHRIST – ROLE MODEL FOR MEN

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

This short teaching is for men only. But, if you are reading this as a woman and have a man in your life, consider sharing this teaching with them.

 

I believe as men, we struggle today attempting to find appropriate role models to pattern our lives after. Many of us don’t actively seek role models, we just sort of stumble along in life grabbing manly examples that the world offers us. We strive to be the men we think we should be in our own eyes, and too many times that is far from what God calls us to be.

 

How often have you as a man idolized a sports figure? Whether it is baseball, football, basketball or another sport; at one time or another we often look to athletes for role models in our lives. Too often, we are so mesmerized by the success and charisma of our sports heroes that we overlook their personal lives, which are often plagued with compromise and immorality. We would do well to examine our priorities if we are seeking role models in the world of sports. Often the appearance of the good life and success, have associated moral compromises and sin lurking in the background.

 

Possibly you have been wise in your efforts to seek a role model and have sought out Christian examples of manhood. While this is to be commended, I would caution you not to put your spiritual role models on a pedestal. Even mature Christian men can fail us at times. There are situations where the most devout men have succumbed to temptation and let God and others down. We often sense a need to have living, physical examples to pattern our lives after. There is nothing wrong with this. We simply must be cautious and balanced in whom we choose for a role model and how far we emulate and admire them. In the New Testament Paul, stated in Galatians 4:12 “I plead with you, brothers, become like me.” He was giving the early Christians an example in the flesh to pattern their lives with. I am sure Paul was not saying he was perfect. He was simply sharing that if you patterned you life after his, you would have a good start at becoming a godly man, because that was Paul’s goal.

 

Now while we need to have role models to develop as men, and we need sometimes to seek role models we can actually see, let me challenge you with an idea. Why not add to your list of role models, the ultimate role model for manhood. Someone who you never have to worry will let you down. Someone who you can never question His motives or whether He did the right thing. A man who was a man’s man and also demonstrated discipline in all areas of their life. Yes, of course, I am speaking of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Let me share with you a few aspects or characteristics of Jesus that will let you see His multifaceted personality and His qualifications for a truly perfect role model for you. As you look on these traits of Jesus, look at your own life. Notice where you are strong and where you are weak as you compare yourself with Him.

 

Hunger for God’s Word

 

One of the early things we see in Jesus’ life is that He was a student of the scriptures. Luke 2:42, 43, 46, 47 discusses a situation early in His life that shows both His desire and knowledge of God’s word. “When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” All through Jesus’ life we see Him quoting scripture, referring to it, modeling His life after it, instructing others as to its meaning. Jesus stated in Matthew 4:4 “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 

Are you a man of the scriptures? Do you desire God’s word? Do you seek to plant it in your mind and heart so that it motivates your desires and plans? This is the first characteristic of Jesus you need to model your life after.

 

Man of Prayer

 

One characteristic of Jesus that became especially prominent in His life as He ministered was prayer. Jesus was definitely a man of prayer. We find Him often going to the garden to pray, to speak to His father. Luke 5:16 gives us evidence of this when it states, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” And again in Mark 1:35 it states, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Jesus even gave us a model prayer to pray in Matthew 6:9. In Mark 14:38 Jesus commands us to pray when He says, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Are you a man of prayer? Do you make decisions on your own or do you ask God for advice in prayer? Do you watch and pray for God to keep you on the straight and narrow path? Do you seek quiet times with your Lord to seek comfort, guidance, strength, and wisdom? This is the second characteristic of Jesus that would be wise to pattern your life after.

 

Sensitive to Others

 

Another characteristic of Jesus is His sensitivity. “Now wait a minute!” you say. I thought men were supposed to be the strong silent type! While our definitions of manhood are changing, I think many of us still look on men as the stronger, less emotional half of the race. While as men we may not always gravitate to our emotional side, we do have one. We cry, feel sympathy; experience love and deep emotions. Admit it; at least to yourself! When we look at Jesus, we must see His sensitive side. Consider the incident of the children who sought Jesus in Mark 10:15‑16 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”

 

Jesus also showed compassion and tenderness when He reached out in love to the adulterous woman in John 8. Though by the law, the woman deserved to be stoned, Jesus showed mercy and grace. He ministered to her and protected her in her persecution. A true man knows when to be sensitive to the needs and desires of others. He is more than physical strength and determination. He is able to demonstrate love and compassion and care for those in need.

 

Are you a sensitive man? Do you show mercy to others, male and female, young and old? Do you reach out to the down trodden and the depressed? Can you minister as Jesus would to those He brings into your life for healing or needing caring counsel?

 

Appropriate Righteous Anger

 

One more characteristic I would like to share with you is Jesus’ righteous anger. “Now that’s more like it!” you say. “Time to get good an angry, that fits us men and our masculinity!” Well, just hold on for a second. When we look at Jesus and His anger we must remember that He followed scripture where it says in Ephesians 4:26, “’In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Jesus had the ability to get angry at those things that deserved such emotions, but He did not sin. Too often we as men get angry at the wrong things or fail to get angry at the right things. Jesus got angry when His Father’s house was desecrated in Luke 19. He was so angry; he took physical action and drove the money changers out of the Synagogue. Here we see Jesus not showing compassion, but righteous anger, because righteous anger was the appropriate response for a Godly man to show. Jesus also showed abilities to confront others when He had been wronged.

 

We are often told that Christians are to turn the other cheek when offended. Jesus did not do this when a guard struck him. We read of this in John 18:22-23 “‘When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. ‘Is this the way you answer the high priest?’ he demanded. ‘If I said something wrong,’ Jesus replied, ‘testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?’” Jesus knew that He had done nothing wrong and did not turn the other cheek but confronted the guard with his error. Jesus also confronted the Pharisees often when their religious honor caused suffering and intimidation to others. You can tell from scripture that Jesus had no respect for men who proclaimed to be godly, yet demeaned and were cruel to those they were in charge of.

 

Are you a man of integrity who knows when to become righteously angry? Does evil in the world make you angry? Are you angered when the innocent are persecuted? Are you mad when God’s honor and glory are slandered? While I am not condoning physical violence or sinful anger, I wonder how many of us should be angry in a godly sense, at what goes on it our world? How many of us should be taking more action to stand against evil in our world? We need to ask the question frequently; what would Jesus do, and DO IT!

 

Loving

 

Love is many times a difficult subject for men to discuss. We aren’t always able to wrap our hearts and minds around it and express it adequately. Often this comes from the way we were raised and the manner in which society attempts to mold us. Here again, Jesus Christ is an excellent example to model one’s life after. Jesus Christ loved people immensely and showed this love in many ways. He showed tender love for children in Mark 10:14. In John 11 we read of the account of Jesus’ friend Lazarus who died. Jesus loved Lazarus in an “agape” fashion, a godly love that always puts others first. This love was so deep we witness Jesus crying when He comes to the tomb of His friend. Jesus was not afraid to cry and show emotion and neither should we as men. In Matthew, Mark, Luke and John we see many instances where Jesus teaches how to love others in word and deed. He loved people so deeply He would often put Himself in danger to heal people of their illnesses and speak against those who mistreated those He loved. We see in John 15:13 His standard for godly love, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus did this for everyone when He died on the cross for our sins.

 

Are you growing in Christ and learning how to love others in a godly fashion. One of the benefits of having accepted Jesus as you Lord and Savior is that He will help you love others in the same way He does. As you grow in Christ, live out the teachings of Jesus contained in the Bible and are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit you can love as Jesus loved! It is your calling as a man, to seek to love as Jesus would. Pray for God to show you how to love in this manner. Seek to be aware of ways you can love others in all kinds of situations; as you look for opportunities to demonstrate true “man of God” love towards your family, friends and even strangers in need.

 

Humility

 

Finally I would like to bring to your attention a quality of Jesus we are all aware of, His humility. We often see this in His life, but it is no more apparent then when He was in the garden before He was crucified. In Mark 14:35‑36 it says, “‘Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” Here Jesus showed humbleness before the Father. He sacrificed to do God’s will. Philippians 2:5‑8 also shares about Jesus’ humility when it says, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death‑‑ even death on a cross!” What better example of strength and power. What better role model could you find than someone who was willing to sacrifice all their glory and honor, all that they had, including their very life for the needs of others?

 

Are you a man known for his humility? While you may have many admirable traits and valuable skills, do you strive not to boast about how great you are? Do you seek to let Christ be your role model and put others first? Are you content with the praise you have from your Lord and Savior for the way you live your Christian life and the close intimate relationship you have with your Heavenly Father? If not, possibly you need to do business with God and allow Him to use the Holy Spirit to mold you into a godly man.

 

We have looked at Jesus’ characteristics of knowledge of scripture, His prayer life, His sensitivity, His correctly applied righteous anger, His love for others and His humility. How did you measure up? If you’re like me, you came up short. All the more reason we should choose as our role model, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. May God grant you the desire to seek to be more like Jesus each and every day. I would encourage you to get into the Word of God, pray for God’s leading and power, respond to the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit and live for Christ like there’s no tomorrow. You never know when Christ will return…there may be no tomorrow!