I had not given much thought to Jesus' manliness before reading The Incomparable Christ by J. Oswald Sanders. I'm following along as Nancy Leigh DeMoss (ReviveOurHearts.com) uses the outline of the book during this Lenten season to bring our thoughts to the incomparable Christ. Today's topic was the manliness of Jesus. Sharing some thoughts with you today as I dug a little deeper.Many paintings of Jesus are rather effeminate and give us the wrong impression of him. The effeminate men I know certainly couldn't have done what Jesus did. Not only his death on the cross, but his daily life spoke of manliness. Jesus was courageous, intrepid, strong. When he asked who people were saying that he is, the response was that people thought he was John the Baptist, or Elijah, or one of the prophets. You could hardly mistake an effeminate man with those men.
Artistic license often paints the wrong picture.
I imagine that Adam was manly as well. In the beginning, that is. Until he and Eve gave in to the lies of Satan. Adam remained passive while Eve took the initiative and ate of the forbidden fruit. Sin's entering the world is laid at Adam's feet. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men (Rom. 5:12). Passivity is not a manly trait. It leads to sin. Maybe it is sin. Maybe it was the first sin. Adam and Eve covered themselves and hid from God, as if they could.
Jesus, in all his manliness, was given the title of 'the last Adam.' He was sent to reverse the effects of Adam's sin. He is not passive. He takes the initiative in calling his bride to himself. We love, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). He leads and protects, physically, emotionally, spiritually. He leads beside still waters; he leads in the path of righteousness (Ps. 23)... that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless (Eph 5:7). You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11).
As a woman, manliness is not my characteristic. So what is my takeaway from this? Encourage manliness in the lives of the men and little men in my family. Refrain from initiating leadership in relationship with My Beloved. Be patient and wait upon the Lord because perfect manliness is found only in Jesus, the incomparable Christ.
