Counsel #5 — Jesus As Masculine Model

Picture: Counsel #5 — Jesus As Masculine ModelCI 78.1

“Powerful,” “dominant,” “muscular,” and “warrior-like”: these are some of the admired characteristics of men who are considered masculine in today’s culture.CI 78.2

Would Jesus be considered masculine?^{[75]https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/blog/jesus-christ-the-true-model-for-biblical-masculinity/} He wept, told His defender to put away his sword, loved and forgave enemies, treated women with respect, advocated for the exploited and oppressed, and admonished His followers to “turn the other cheek.” Yet no one has ever shown the strength of character that Christ practiced. Instead of conquering those who hated Him, He died in their place to save them.CI 78.3

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you…just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’” Matthew 20:25, 26, 28CI 78.4

“Let every husband who claims to love God carefully study the requirements of God in his position. Christ’s authority is exercised in wisdom, in all kindness and gentleness; so let the husband exercise his power and imitate the great Head of the church.” Ellen White in The Adventist Home, p. 215CI 78.5

Reflect: How could you minimize the impact of society’s pressure to exhibit harmful traditional masculinity in your life?CI 78.6