Conclusion
In concluding our meditation on manhood, let us consider the perfect Man—our Lord Jesus Christ.
Though each Gospel gives precious views of the Lord’s life, we will consider a few instances in Mark’s Gospel which show His perfect manhood displayed, remembering that “he that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked” (1 John 2:66He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)).
Moral Weight and Weighty Words
Beginning in Mark 6, the wisdom of His words carries weight because of His mighty actions. Yet, before embarking on His Father’s service, the Lord Jesus worked as a lowly, unrecognized carpenter (vss. 23). What a man says will carry moral weight based on his conduct and labor (though that work be ever so insignificant). “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:1010He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. (Luke 16:10)).
Overcoming Difficulties
Criticism and skepticism did not stop the Lord from bringing blessing to the needy (vss. 4-6). A man must overcome misunderstandings and hindrances in order to work, serve and care for others.
Commanding Others
The Lord sends His followers, commanding them to service (vss. 7-13). Men ought to be spiritual and natural role models to those who follow such as children, grandchildren and younger brethren. But only in the measure our actions carry moral power will we be able to command others to be a blessing in service.
Caring for Family
The Lord knew the importance of time alone with those in His closest circle of relationship His disciples (vss. 30-32). But he took them to a desert place. How beautiful that His blessed presence was enough for His loved ones when all around was waste and empty. So it ought to be with husbands and fathers in the moral desert of this world. How vital to be men whose wives and children find delight and satisfaction just being in their company.
Caring for Others
The Lord encourages His disciples to have tender hearts for the needs of others (vss. 34-35). They also learn that He alone is the source of supply for every need (vss. 37-38), supplying all needs in a peaceful, orderly way green grass (vs. 39; also 1 Cor. 14:3333For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Corinthians 14:33) JND). Men, showing compassion, must follow this divine example if there is to be real blessing.
Calming Life’s Storms
In verses 48-51, the Lord’s presence takes away the raging of the storm and His disciples’ fear of it by His presence and words. Dear brother, does your presence, as a man, in your home and in the assembly (and in your workplace, too!) calm storms and trials, or cause them?
Dealing With Hostility
Mark 7 begins with enemies assailing the Lord by criticizing and questioning His every action and undermining His authority. The Lord answers them all in divine perfection (vss. 1-23). His perfect works and words result in the marvelous testimony rendered in verse 37.
Today, those who would be men are constantly questioned, attacked and undermined by feministic philosophies and godless cultures. May we daily seek never to relinquish our God-given place as men, following rather the example of that blessed One who “hath done all things well”!
Perfect Servant—Perfect Man
In Mark 8 seven classes of people are mentioned—people whom the Lord Jesus, in His perfect service and manhood, deals with. These examples provide vital principles for how men ought to act.
(1) In the Lord’s tender, loving compassion hungry people are fed (vss. 1-3, 6-9), using His (2) helpless disciples who had already forgotten about His previous miracle of feeding the hungry (vss. 4-5).
(3) Though the Lord does not argue or contend with hardened unbelievers (vss. 10-13), (4) He does plainly warn His beloved but heedless disciples (vss. 14-21) who were in danger of being stumbled in their path of service by the Pharisees and Herod.
(5) When a hopeless blind man is brought, the Lord graciously heals him, taking care that there is no public exhibition made of the miracle. Nor does the Lord leave until the man can view all things in their proper perspective (vss. 22-26).
(6) The suffering which awaited Christ was too much for Peter. In unbelief he sought to hinder the Lord’s path of obedience (Heb. 10:5-95Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. (Hebrews 10:5‑9)). Without hesitation the Lord renders a most solemn denunciation of the real source behind his words (vss. 27-33).
(7) The Lord Jesus not only faithfully explained the hardships and sufferings of the path of faith, but He gives a comforting promise for any who, in love for Him, give up life’s advantages in the present age. To be ashamed of following Christ in this unfaithful world will bring dishonor in the day when the Son of Man comes in His glory (vss. 34-38).
Let each dear brother in Christ seek renewed strength and courage to walk as men of God, to be men of God and to stand as men of God in a world which hates and represses such conduct. Trials and testings must be expected, but in seeking grace to act as the men God has made us, there will be blessing and fruit for our families and the assembly and a positive testimony to the world.
Ed.