part 7 of the “Eyes Up” series
“...where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord....
Psalm 121:1-2 NIV
When I think about gentleness and the example that Jesus gave us - I think of Jesus and the children and how He welcomed them with love and gentleness.
“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” - Matthew 19:13-15 NIV
Now I know what Jesus was saying here, but that is not what I am after in this post. I am after how Jesus did what He did.
When Jesus addressed the disciples who had been all over the people and the children about leaving Jesus alone - He addresses them with sternness in His voice. He was pretty much telling them to cool it and take a breath.
I picture, Jesus then welcomed the children into His loving arms with gentleness that only He can give. Jesus held them on His lap and talked with them. Jesus listened to their day and their stories. He might have given them a piggyback ride or two and played some games. Jesus took His time and showed the children gentleness.
But He didn’t only show gentleness to children- He showed gentleness to all people He can in contact with. I think of the woman at the well (John 4), the woman caught in adultery (John 8), Judas at the time of betrayal (John 19), and Peter after he had denied Jesus (John 21). There are many more I’m sure but you get the idea - Jesus modeled gentleness.
If we want to model the same kind of gentleness we need to have our EYES UP. Just like Jesus faced, we don’t always have the nicest people to interact with and that makes it hard for us to have gentleness with those people.
But Jesus did and we can too! Jesus caught more people using gentleness and respect than He would have in any other way.
We can do the same if you just focus on Jesus and His ways.
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” - 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
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