Considerations: To Be Gentle Like Jesus

In light of the violence that is growing around our world, along with the arrogant publication of unimaginable violent deeds against humanity, I found this prophetic description of Jesus extremely comforting.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold,

    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;

I have put my Spirit upon him;

    he will bring forth justice to the nations.

He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,

    or make it heard in the street;

a bruised reed he will not break,

    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;

    he will faithfully bring forth justice.

          (Isaiah 42:1-3)

Hundreds of years before Jesus arrived as that little baby, born in a stable, and laid in a manger, it was prophesied that he would come with such gentleness that those hearts that were like bruised reeds would not be broken, but healed. Those souls that were like a faintly burning wick, would not be quenched, but brought to life.

This is what God's word prophesied Jesus would do, it is what Jesus did as he drew all kinds of sinners to himself in repentance and faith, and it is what Jesus continues to do today. If you want to know Jesus like that, ask God to do whatever it takes for you to experience Jesus giving you rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28-30).

It is no wonder that, with Jesus as the head of the true church, his body, he would direct his people like this: "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed” (Hebrews 12:12-13).

Since Jesus did not break the bruised reed, or quench the faintly burning wick, his people should not “put out of joint… that which is lame.” Rather, those who are in such condition of soul that would be described as lame, ought to “rather be healed.”

If you are the “lame,” ask Jesus to show you a church that is becoming like him in the gentleness you know is in him. If you are a strong and growing member of the body of Christ, ask Jesus to make you and your church a place of healing and rest in whatever ways he would like you to be.

© 2014 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, Canada, V1K 1B8 ~ in2freedom@gmail.com

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.)