Gentle: November 19, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2013.

GENTLE

DEFINITION:

Mild in manner or disposition; tender; peaceful; tame; kind; submissive. 

SCRIPTURE:

Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very special in the sight of the Lord. I Peter 3:4.

See, your king comes to you gentle and riding on a donkey. Matthew 21:5.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29.

To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3:2

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

One of the characteristics of Jesus is that He is gentle. Matthew describes Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the coming of a gentle king. Kings are usually tyrants and arrogant and war-like. Jesus is the opposite. He is gentle, humble and peaceful. Jesus is depicted as a shepherd and a shepherd gently leads his sheep and carries the lambs that need help. He never forcefully drives his sheep. 

Gentleness is not weakness. Jesus was pictured as both a Lamb and a Lion. Jesus, the Lamb of God, was the symbol of gentleness and submissiveness to God’s will. Jesus, the Lion, was the symbol of authority and power.

The prophet Isaiah tells of the coming of the Lord and in Isaiah 40:11 says "He will feed His flock like a Shepherd; He will gather His lambs with His arm, and carry them close to His heart, and gently lead those who have young." How comforting and encouraging to know that we have a gentle Savior who not only leads us in the right path but when the going gets hard He lifts us up and carries us close to His heart.

During Jesus ministry on earth parents sought to bring their small children to Jesus for His blessing. The disciples tried to stop them, thinking that children were too insignificant to take up the time of Jesus and interrupt His ministry. Jesus rebuked the disciples and gently and tenderly called the children to come to Him, saying to His disciples, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Luke 18:15-16). Our gentle Savior invites all, no matter how young or old or how insignificant we might think we are, to come to Him.

The scriptures give us many illustrations on how Jesus was gentle to those He met. We are called to follow in the steps of Jesus and live by the example He sets for us (I Peter 2:21). We need to be gentle in all that we do. We need to be gentle to our spouses, to our children, to our family and to our friends. Gentleness requires showing consideration for others. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:5 to "Let your gentleness be evident to all."

Most of us are not gentle by nature. In II Timothy 2:24, the Apostle Paul exhorts us as Christians by saying: "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach and be patient." The scripture also reminds us that we need wisdom as given to us from God which is pure, peaceable and gentle. James 3:17.

In Proverbs 15:1 it tells us that a gentle or kind answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Our challenge to you today is to be gentle in your speech and treat people with consideration and kindness. We are sure that you will get a response from those who know you that will bless you.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Timothy 1:15.

It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.

PRAYER:

Thank You Lord for being my gentle Savior and shepherd who leads me in the right path. Help me to be gentle in all that I say to people and in all that I do.  Help me to show my love for my Lord by my gentle spirit and by my acts of kindness.