eFax of Life from CBMC Heartland

What's a Man?

Funny thing happened the other night. It's after 11 p.m. and this contractor-buddy from the Twin Cities stops by on his way to his vacation home in Colorado.

This guy has cast-iron guts. He's shot an elephant at fifteen yards. Killed a buffalo. Owns/flies a beautiful STOL (short take-off and landing) plane. Behind his new 2500 series Dodge diesel pick up - he has a 5th wheel trailer - loaded with steel beams and a skid-steer loader - with steel tracks over the tires - cuz he's building another house out on his Colorado land.

I also know this guy is tough because he does spiritual warfare with satan - plus he and his wife have raised three teenagers into adulthood.

Since I knew he was coming - I'd gone to Stoysich Meat Market and bought a rib-eye steak. Now it's after 11:30 p.m. and we're cooking/talking.

He's been asked to speak at an outward-bound type of camp in Alaska and his topic is 'What's a Man?'

What's funny is that he (who's the personification of a 'real man') begins asking me (the epitome of the 'average guy') serious questions about 'what is a man?' and 'when have you done enough to prove your manhood?'

After my friend leaves, I began reflecting on what I've done to prove to others - and myself - that I'm a man: stuck my tongue to frozen steel, rode a bull, kissed a girl, ran machinery, killed rattle snakes, bought airplanes, killed men in combat, out-ran a cop, married a beautiful woman, made money, tried pot, adultery, built a mansion, water skied backwards, drove a Corvette.

Thought I could establish my identity through my performance and possessions.

Didn't work. Had the wrong heroes/role models. So - what does a 'real man' look like?

Napoleon Bonaparte had an opinion: "Everything in Christ astonishes me. Between Him and whoever else in the world, there is no possible term of comparison."

Wild At Heart author John Eldredge writes:

"Jesus is no 'capon (castrated male chicken) priest', no pale-faced altar boy with his hair parted in the middle, speaking softly, avoiding confrontation, who at last gets himself killed because he has no way out. He works with wood, commands the loyalty of dockworkers. He is the Lord of hosts, the captain of angel armies. And when Christ returns, he is at the head of a dreadful company, mounted on a white horse, with a double-edged sword, his robe dipped in blood (Rev. 19). Now that sounds a lot more like William Wallace than it does Mother Teresa.

No question about it - there is something fierce in the heart of God."

I agree. Jesus is the perfect example of a real man. But He's even more than the quotes from Napoleon and Eldredge reveal.

Only one time in the entire Bible does Jesus describe Himself:

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

The Ultimate Man is so cool that little kids want to hang out with Him (Mark 10:13-16). And - He's so secure that He can serve others in the most menial of ways (John 13:3-5).

The key question becomes - what was the source of His identity and intentions/of His power and purpose? I suggest the answer for Jesus is the same answer for you and me: to know and obey the will of the Father.

Consider two verses:

"In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there." Mark 1:35

"I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 5:30

See the connection? Even in the midst of incredibly busy, demanding days - the first thing Jesus does is get heart-to-heart with His Heavenly Father. He sets His mind not to dance to the tune of this world. His eternal perspective dictates His temporal/secular life.

And, having done it Himself - with authority and a loving desire for our best interests - this Maximum Man says:

"You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them." John 13:13-17.

Another funny thing: This same truth applies to women - who want to achieve their/God's greatest potential.

CBMC Heartland, 07/17/02

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