Seeing Jesus' Gentleness (Part 9)

"He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). If any man was treated harshly, Jesus was. In the midst of cruelty and abuse, however, Jesus did not respond in kind. Because of His gentleness, He did not destroy or revile His persecutors.

Many people in Jesus' life were not enemies, yet they still placed demands on Him. Thronging crowds constantly clamored for His attention. His own disciples often struggled and failed to comprehend. In these interactions as well, Jesus was not harsh. He showed tremendous patience and love, responding with gentleness to frustrations and pressures.

The fruit of the Spirit gentleness is sometimes translated meekness. The root of the word refers to someone who is mild, made possible because of implied humility. A gentle person is appropriately subdued, doesn't fight back, and doesn't frighten those who come to him for help. Rather, his character makes him inviting, approachable, reassuring, and unintimidating.

Isaiah 40:11 provides a wonderful illustration of the gentle Savior: "Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes." The Gospels provide real-life examples of this gentle nature.

A woman with a hemorrhage did not intend to disturb Jesus as He made His way to help someone in need. She only wanted to touch His cloak. When Jesus perceived the subtle disturbance, He paused in His mission and gently spoke, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well" (Matthew 9:22).

Jesus trained His disciples for service. He gave them instructions about what to do and how to deal with people. He warned them of the danger and opposition they would face. He did not stop, however, without giving them gentle encouragement regarding the obstacles. "Therefore do not fear them. . . . Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul" (Matthew 10:26-28).

Jesus was not detached or uncommunicative about His care for those He loved. He gently assured His followers of their value to Him. "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31).

Jesus approached His disciples in the midst of a vicious storm, walking toward them on the raging sea. When He saw their fear, "immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid'" (Matthew 14:27). Peter, with his impulsive and simple faith, wanted to walk to Jesus on the water. Jesus gently invited him, "Come!" and when Peter began to sink, "immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him" (14:29,31).

Three disciples watched the amazing transfiguration of Jesus, followed by a booming voice from heaven, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5). Understandably, the disciples fell to the ground terrified. Jesus gently "came to them and touched them and said, 'Get up, and do not be afraid'" (17:7).

Jesus was gentle with children. When the disciples wanted to chase them away, Jesus announced, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me"; then He laid His hands on the children (Matthew 19:14-15). In fact, Jesus was protective of those who would harm children. He warned, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6).

After Jesus' death, His followers were grieving and distraught. The resurrected Jesus understood and responded gently to the emotional needs of His disciples. He said, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me" (Matthew 28:10). He personally comforted Mary Magdalene when she was overcome with grief (John 20:15-17). He also appeared to His fearful disciples and comforted them, arriving to announce, "Peace be with you" (John 20:19).

Jesus' gentleness is not always sensational in and of itself. Many other people might have also given similar gentle responses in the above situations. What is different about Jesus is that He did it consistently. It was an essential and unchanging part of His nature.

What makes Jesus' gentleness really remarkable is comparing His gentle responses with how He could have responded. He could have disregarded the woman who touched His cloak or spoken to her in irritation. He could have allowed His disciples to learn by experience, expecting them to develop thick skin when they faced opposition. In a tough, "manly" way, He could have simply kept quiet about His great love for His disciples. He could have rebuked the disciples in the ship for their fear and let them suffer the consequences of their choices. He could have laughed or scoffed at the three who were terrified at the transfiguration. He could have ignored the children or brushed them aside as pests. He could have dismissed emotion as a sign of weakness, causing Him to be awkward and aloof with those who grieved His death.

Actually, He couldn't have, because His divine nature was perfectly gentle. One can easily imagine, however, that other people would have displayed those alternative responses or far worse. The Savior was amazingly gentle, and He calls His followers to imitate His example, being gentle with those who oppose them, with those who are part of their daily lives, and with those they love.

"Remind them . . . to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men" (Titus 3:2).