There are many “role models” for us in the Bible. In the
past I’ve led a men’s study on the life of King David. The book of Acts tells
us that David was a “man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). That is the goal
of this True Men Ministries’ men’s study – to find ways that we can become “men
after God’s own heart” through the examples in the life of David. Of course,
sometimes those examples will be of the nature of “what not to do” – especially his parenting style with Absolom and his
infidelity with Bathsheba. I led this Bible study on the life of David because
he is very much an “every man.” Most men can see a little of themselves in
David.
I’ve also been exploring Peter as a role model for men.
Considered a giant in the Church – with over 1 billion Christian considering
him as the founder of the Christian Church (as the first pope). One of the
things that intrigued me about the Roman Catholic’s view of St. Peter is that
they promote him as the first pope and such, but seem to conveniently overlook
that Peter had a “foot-shaped mouth.” Peter is a great role model for men today
because he had many of the “down to earth” qualities that many men have today.
But Peter also was used greatly and powerfully by Christ in this world.
Yet another man who could serve as a role model for us today
is John the Baptist.
John the Baptist is a difficult character to present to men
as a role model. The reason is because there is very little we know of him that
men can really relate well to. Sure, we know from Matthew 3 that his birth was
foretold by an angel – but how many men today can claim that? He was born to
parents that were quite old – some men may be able to relate to that. We know
that he was a relative of a very famous person – and I suppose that some men
could sympathize with that situation. But after that, all we know of John the
Baptist was that he was supremely faithful to his calling from God to prepare
the way for the Messiah. While that is an excellent goal for men today to
strive for, it is also very intimidating – leading me and, I’m sure, other men
to say, “I could never get to that point in my faith life.”
Yet, I believe John the Baptist could be an excellent role
model. This is from an article in the September/October issue of New Man Magazine
(and can be found here: http://www.charismamag.com/life/men/5329-an-obedient-man
), written by Roger C. Palms:
John the Baptist came preaching in the spirit and power of
the prophet Elijah (see Mal. 4:5; Matt. 11:14). He wore hair-skin clothing and
ate locusts and honey (see Matt. 3:4). He was a man on a mission sent to
prepare the way for Jesus. A lone voice, John cried out not in the big cities
but in the desert. He didn't do it for headlines; he did it to make a people
ready to meet Jesus so that "all people will see the salvation sent from
God" (Luke 3:6, NLT).
John's mission was from God, who gave him the message. John
knew who he was and who he wasn't. He said: "'I am not the Messiah'"
(John 1:20) and "'Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I
am'" (Matt. 3:11). John was not a self-promoter.
How many men confuse the message and calling of God with
their own sense of importance? If our birth was announced by the angel Gabriel,
would we still say, "'He must become greater and greater, and I must
become less and less'" (John 3:30)? Or would we go around boasting about
who we are? John could have done that. Instead, he was obedient. He stepped
aside for Jesus and God gave him the opportunity to baptize and announce the
Messiah (see Matt. 3:13-16).
John was born of parents who were faithful to God:
"Both of them were upright in the sight of God" (Luke 1:6). But both
were also old. John was God's miracle baby for them. In spite of that beginning
and the joy he brought to his aged parents, he was never his own. He was a man
called by God and he yielded to that call. During his life, John never had the
things most men want: a family, house, prestigious job and easy death in his
old age.
John's death came at the whim of a powerful woman and a weak
husband who did what she asked. John was beheaded during a rich man's birthday
banquet and his head was brought to the revelers on a platter (see
Matt.14:6-12). What did John do to get himself murdered? He told the truth to
the king (see Mark 6:17-29).
"Unfair!" we cry out when a person is treated
brutally, as John was. Why was he able to do that? How simple it would have
been to keep his mouth shut about the king's morals. There is a way to live an
easy, comfortable life—don't obey God. But John did obey God. He was faithful
and for that faithfulness he was killed. John didn't invite suffering, but he
accepted it.
Are you open to the leading of God even if it means that you
must become less just as John did? Will it matter to you if your obedience
takes you to the desert rather than to a palace? Will you always point people
to the Savior? Jesus had something powerful to say about John: "None is
greater than John the Baptist'" (Matt. 11:11). What an epitaph for an
obedient man. What a selfless man of God. What an example for today's man.
© 2015 True Men Ministries
