How to Build a Godly & Manly FoxholeSample

NOTE: This devotional is meant to be consumed mainly in audio form. The text below simply serves as an outline for the audio material.

RECAP: In days 1, 2, and 3 of this devotional, we spent some time diving into three questions:        

• 1. What makes a godly man?, 2. What makes a manly man?, & 3. Can you be both godly and manly?        
• Day 1. What makes a godly man?  
  • 1. Truths outside the self (the narrative of humanity)         
  • 2. Truths displayed publicly (answers the question: What makes a godly man?)  
    • Listed characteristics of a godly man                                        
• Day 2. What makes a manly man?  
  • At Undaunted.Life, we have a definition of what a “man” is, and it’s this: “A man is a male that cultivates spiritual, mental, and physical resilience DAILY.”                        
• Day 3. Can you be both godly and manly? 
  • Yes. Yes, of course!        
  • Adam Brown is certainly an example.        
  • Went deep into the story of Nehemiah, specifically the first 4 chapters of the book of Nehemiah.                        
• Make sure you’ve listened to days 1, 2, & 3 before you take in today’s lesson.

Today, we’re going to be focusing on this question: WAS JESUS A MANLY MAN?

The quick and easy answer is: Of course he was a manly man. He was the MANLIEST man because he was the sinless, perfect man.         

• 2 Corinthians 5:21

However, most men would not think of Jesus when they try to think of manly men.

The reason might surprise you... It's the church's overemphasis on the Lamb of God and almost no mention of the Lion of Judah. 

• So, has Jesus changed? No…   
  • Jesus is 100% grace AND truth. Not 50/50.        
  • Jesus is 100% Lamb AND Lion. Not 50/50.        
  • The modern church has changed        
  • The modern church has focused almost exclusively on the Lamb of God and has essentially ignored the Lion of Judah.                

Stories that show Jesus was a manly man:        

• Matthew 10:34        
• Luke 4:31-37        
• John 11:38-44        
• John 2:13-16        
• Luke 4:1-11        
• Matthew 27:27-50

“The Lion of Judah was very popular in fundamentalist churches as recently as a few years ago, but even here his sun is setting. It’s no wonder why. He doesn’t seem to be a very good Christian.” - David Murrow

So, was Jesus of Nazareth a manly man? You bet he was, and still is.        

• He is part of the godhead, the triune God, the trinity… so he is godly in every way that it is possible to be godly.        
• He is manly, in the truest, most perfect sense.        
• He is spiritually resilient, mentally resilient, and physically resilient.

This story slams it home, Luke 4, The Temptation of Jesus.        

• Luke 4:1-11
  

If you need it slammed home even harder, this will...        

• Matthew 27:27-50

Super easy flow chart time:        

• Was Jesus spiritually, mentally, and physically resilient? YES → so he is a manly man.        
• Did Jesus cultivate spiritual, mental, and physical resilience daily? YES → so he is a manly man.        
• Period. Case closed.

Before you move on to the next thing, here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. If asked to quickly make a list of manly men that you know of, would Jesus have been on your short list? If not, why do you think that is?

2. Are you more familiar with the Lamb of God or the Lion of Judah?

3. Do you hate sin like Jesus hates sin?

For more content like this, be sure to check out our other YouVersion devotionals.

Make sure you come back tomorrow for Day 5 where we discuss what a foxhole is. 

Until then, keep pushing back darkness… keep forging spiritual, mental, and physical resilience… KEEP SEEKING THE LION OF JUDAH.