Dangeous Men

 April 19, 2024

2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11 are the roll call of what the Bible calls “David’s Mighty Men.” They were thirty of the best soldiers in the kingdom. As you read through this list, what stands out is how certain ones are singled out as having killed numerous enemy soldiers, especially when outnumbered. 

As I read through this list this morning, I began to wonder when we stopped admiring dangerous men. I suppose much of it stems from the teachings of Jesus; words of peace, patience, and the elevation of the virtue of suffering for Jesus’ sake. I think it’s one of the reasons we have a difficult time attracting men to the Gospel. When armies mustered behind the sign of the cross, men clamored to join up. 

I’m not advocating that we resort to violence and bloodshed in the name of Jesus. Lord knows, there’s plenty of death and destruction done in the name of religion. But neither do I believe that Christian life should be bland, weak, and colorless. One of the old baptism rites included words that “Christ bids us come and die,” which is true. We are to deny ourselves, pick up a cross, and follow Jesus. The cross in this instance, is not a piece of jewelry one wears about the neck. It is an instrument of torture and death. Only the brave need apply.

We need strong men willing to stand up against the tide of our culture. They will need to be brave because those who like David’s man Abishai, who “singlehandedly…fought three hundred men, and killed the lot,” men who the Enemy of our souls considers dangerous. Who knows what could happen in our society with such dangerous men who are sold out to Jesus?