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ME N OF GO D

THE LION & THE

LAMB: JESUS’

EXAMPLE TO MEN

acon and beards. Aggressive
conquest. Conceal your feelings.
Compete. To be a man you
B must be “insert varying cultural
standard here.” What it means to be a TRUE PASSION acting too scared to make a decision are
man changes generationally. Men have Toxic masculinity refers to the overly not godly. Some men fall into the camp
been expected to keep up with new aggressive, dominant, and competitive of being too lamblike, or too lionlike,
norms or be considered an outcast. type of guy who controls and uses but Jesus demonstrates when to be
Thankfully, God doesn’t change. His intimidating brute force. This is not which. The church needs both, and men
roles don’t change. His idea of what it what Jesus calls men to be. However, can grow by making the kind of
means to be a man can still be found men are, at times, called to be lionlike. decisions that benefit others and bring
and pursued in a climate hellbent on Much like when Christ braided a whip glory to God.
flipping the masculine norm on its head. and chased the ungodly out of the
So, what does it look like to be a man of temple, men can show passion, zeal, MEN NEED MEN
God? To answer, we must look to and holy anger when God’s name has Hollywood has pedaled the illusion that
Jesus Christ. been slandered. Men should be seeking men are to lead “Lone Ranger” lives.
According to God though men
THE PERFECT MAN “ must submit to authority and they
Jesus is our example of perfect need others. “As iron sharpens
masculinity, so to be a man of iron, so a man sharpens the
God is to know your role within countenance of his friend”
His Kingdom. “I want you to (Proverbs 27:17, NKJV). It’s
know that the head of every necessary to share struggles,
man is Christ” (1 Corinthians mental battles, and sin issues
1
11:3, NKJV). Men are to together. There is no need to
be submissive and fully pretend or put on a façade.
surrendered to God and His Getting over yourself and being
perfect will. Jesus spoke this vulnerable is a scary thing to do,
clearly while praying in the but it’s healthy. Repent, be brave,
garden: “Nevertheless not My will, but to build and advance God’s kingdom, and be real with others. Besides, you
Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, NKJV). not their ideal world. can’t be brave without first being afraid.
Jesus wasn’t about seeking His desires
and fortune but instead sought to help, Men are also called to be lamblike: We need each other’s help. It’s good to
heal, lead, teach, and protect others. gentle, warm, caring, empathetic, and show emotion and passion. It’s also
Men are called today to do the same. emotional. Jesus was very tender, fully good to be firm, unwavering,
Whether single or married, men have a expressing and experiencing the whole understanding, and vulnerable with
responsibility to seek the good of others range of human emotions including others. It all begins by looking to Jesus
before themselves and to protect them weeping, sorrow, and joy. God does not for your marching orders and strength.
from evil. want men to be passive, however. Guys

16 WORD ON THE STREET MAGAZINE 1 Galatians 6:2