Jesus vs. John Wick: What Men Are Really Looking For

 

By Mark Odland, MA, LMFT (in conversation with Zack Carter, Counselor and Coach)

Based on Episode 3 of the Lion Counseling Podcast

Why Are Men More Drawn to John Wick Than Jesus?

We kicked off this episode with a provocative question: Why do so many men feel more emotionally moved by a revenge scene in John Wick than by the crucifixion in the Gospels?

It’s not about faithlessness—it’s about misdirected desire. Deep down, men crave purpose, justice, courage, and strength. They just haven’t seen Jesus portrayed that way.

The Masculine Heart Wants a Fight Worth Fighting

John Wick loses what he loves—and unleashes righteous fury against evil. It taps into something primal in men. And while the violence is over the top, the longing for justice and mission is very real.

At Lion Counseling, we help Christian men understand that their longing for strength, vengeance, and honor isn’t wrong—it’s just incomplete without Christ at the center.

Jesus Is More Dangerous Than You Think

We’ve sanitized Jesus in modern Christian culture. But in Scripture, Jesus flips tables, rebukes religious elites, walks straight into conflict, and lays down His life with unstoppable resolve.

He’s not passive. He’s not weak. He’s not just “nice.” He’s the Lion of Judah.

The problem isn’t that Jesus isn’t compelling. It’s that we haven’t introduced Him that way to men who are hungry for mission and meaning.

What John Wick Gets Right (And What It Gets Wrong)

✅ The Good:

  • Fighting evil with courage and skill
  • Loyalty and honor in brotherhood
  • Resisting corruption

❌ The Limits:

  • Revenge as identity
  • Isolation as a virtue
  • No grace, no redemption—only violence

Jesus offers something better: redemption instead of revenge. Purpose beyond pain. Strength under control.

Men Are Starving for a Higher Standard

We talked in this episode about how a lot of guys secretly admire John Wick because they feel powerless in their own lives. They want control. They want strength. They want respect.

And they think they have to choose between Jesus or masculinity.

The truth? Jesus is the fulfillment of masculinity. He’s the model of strength, sacrifice, and steadfast love. He bled, but He didn’t break. He suffered, but He overcame.

What Does This Mean for Your Life?

Ask yourself:

  • What am I fighting for?
  • What pain am I carrying?
  • Where do I need healing—not just power?
  • Am I building a legacy of vengeance or redemption?

We invite men to see Jesus not as the anti-masculine figure—but as the ultimate warrior-leader. The one worth following. The one who leads you to healing, strength, and purpose.

Need Help Walking That Path?

If you’re a man who wants to feel strong, grounded, and spiritually aligned—but you’re stuck in anger, isolation, or shame—we get it. And we’re here to walk with you.

Schedule a free consultation here and start reclaiming your true identity.

 

 

Final Thought

John Wick teaches men to survive. Jesus teaches men to lead, love, and lay their lives down for something greater.

Choose the fight that leads to life.

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