Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

The Gentleness Of Jesus

ISAIAH 42:1-4 – 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. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE GENTLENESS OF JESUS. Today’s scripture provides a wealth of encouraging statements about the relationship between God the Father and God the Son, as well as insights on human nature, and how the Lord Jesus handles humans in that nature.

First, we are given a sacred look at the love between the Father and Son. We read of the Father’s heart on His son – “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights.” But there is more . . . the Father’s love goes beyond the relationship with His Son. Through that relationship comes His love for sinners. It is shown on commissioning the Son by the Spirit to come to earth on the Gospel mission – “I have put my Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” That leads us to the next part of the scripture – human nature and Jesus’s handling of us in that nature.

By nature, all of us are fragile; emotionally, spiritually, and physically. “Bruised reeds” rightly define us. We break easily. We “snap” by changing moods, challenging circumstances, and trying relationships. It doesn’t take much in life to drive us to discouragement, even depression. Like fragile reeds on a body of water, the slightest effort breaks them. But there is another image in today’s scripture describing human nature – faintly burning wicks.

All of us are as weak as a faintly burning wick. It doesn’t take much to “blow out” the flame of life. It might be the winds of prolonged trials. Perhaps “the breeze” from difficult situations is putting out “the candle of zeal” for the things of God. Or the gale force winds of suffering have extinguished hope in our hearts. Whatever it might be, the description of a barely lit wick on a candle or lamp righty defines our weak natures. But then . . . the scripture takes us to behold the Lord Jesus and how He handles bruised reeds and faintly burning wicks.

In both, our Jesus comes with gentleness and handles us with gentleness. He realizes our fragile and weak frames. In His gentleness, we experience His loving touch, soothing Words, and enduring patience. And He never changes. Gentleness always marks His dealings with His people. This doesn’t mean He goes soft on sin in His people, but even in the chastening times, His rod is held in gentle hands.

And when it comes to embracing this gentle Jesus, we also are to exemplify this gentle Jesus. As His people, His gentleness becomes the model for us in dealing with all people. We are surrounded by bruised reeds and faintly burning wicks desperately needing the gentleness of Jesus through His people. May it be so! Oh, what a testimony to have – to be known as a gentle Christian living out the gentleness of our Lord Jesus!

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your gentleness displayed over and over in my life.”

QUOTE: “One of the marks in a good testimony for Jesus is how gently we treat all people.”