Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:29 (NIV)
We are on a journey to know about the heart of Jesus. A few months back God asked me to write on the topic of Knowing God. Knowing about Jesus is everything about Christian life on earth. Everyone who decides to follow Christ has to know about Christ and align their life closer to Him. If we say we truly love Him, want to follow Him, and surrendered our life to Him, then we ought to know who He is. How Jesus lived His life on earth? We are going to study one of the characteristics of the life of Jesus which is His gentleness and humility. Jesus is the king of kings and Lord of Lords. But His life on earth teaches us about his simplicity and humility. He never boasted, never got puffed up, and never showed off his power.
He is a gentle God:
The Bible says, "He (Jesus) will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets." - Matthew 12:19 (NIV). All through his life on earth, Jesus never argued with people. He never shouted at others. He never had to shout at others. Jesus had every right to raise his voice. How much time do we waste quarreling with people? How many people tell us that we get upset and angry quickly? Our Lord Jesus never quarreled with people. No one could his voice on the street. His voice was always soft but powerful. He healed with a single word and touch. He calmed the sea. His words had life and strength.
Dear friend, don't you want to change your life like Jesus lived? There will be differences of opinion. People may have different points of view. We do not have to argue with them. We can pray for them if we think it is wrong. We can respond to them gently with love as Jesus did. Do not raise your voice. Never shout at others. Our Jesus never did it. Let's try to be like Jesus.
Jesus said, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." - Revelation 3:20 (NIV)
Jesus will never try to barge into our life. He is a gentle God. He will quietly stand outside and knock on the doors. Only if we open the door, He will enter our life. How many kings will wait for us? How higher officials in our country will wait for us to open the door? Jesus is more than a King. He chose to wait outside and knock on the door.
He is a Humble God
Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:3, 5 (NIV)
The earth appreciates people who seem to speak as if they know everything. It rewards those who are confident. But heaven rewards those who have the spirit of humility and meek. Jesus himself led a humble life. He was born in a manger. The Magi, who came to visit Him went to the king's palace to enquire about Him. They could not see Him. The king of the Jews was born in an ordinary place. He traveled by foot. His disciples were ordinary and un-schooled men. He never has a good place to live.
The Bible says, "A scribe came up and said to him, 'Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go. ' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head'" Matthew 8:19, 20 (NIV).
I believe Jesus would have spent many nights in the field. A stone could be His pillow. He could never own a home for himself. Jesus lived a simple and humble life.
The Bible says, "Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’" - Matthew 21:5 (ESV)
Jesus was a humble king. He traveled in a donkey, not on a horse. The people are well aware of how a Roman King will do a triumphal march with much luxury and pomp with the slaves and prisoners of war in the front. But Jesus did the same in a humble format.
Jesus washed His disciple's feet:
The night before He was crucified Jesus wanted to spend the last evening on earth with His disciples. The primary message He want to teach them was about humility. Jesus showed the utmost humility but chose to wash his disciple's feet.
The Bible says, "So he (Jesus) got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." - John 13:4,5 (NIV)
How many of us would be willing to do it? The God heaven and earth did it show who He is. He is our God. He showed utmost humility throughout his life so that we can be like Him.
The Bible commands us to be in the same mind as Christ.
Who (Jesus), being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! - Philippians 2:6-8 (NIV)
Jesus showed how to be humble. He never tried to grab positions. He never tried to use His power to his advantage but humbled himself to nothing even to death.
Dear friend, how about our life today? We learned how gentle and humble our Lord Jesus is. Are we living a gentle life? Are we able to lead a humble life? Jesus wants us to change our life today. Let's go to His presence and pray to Him.
Please place your hand on your heart and call upon the name of Jesus. Pray the below prayer along with us from the bottom of your heart. Jesus is listening to every word you speak.
Dear Jesus, today I understood how gentle and humble you are. You are the king of kings and Lord of all. Yet you humbled yourself. You have washed the feet of your disciples. For our sake, you have humbled yourself to death on the cross. What high standards you have set for us? You are our perfect role model. You never shouted or raised your voice. You are a gentle God. I want to be like you. Please change my life. Let me also have a humble attitude. I want to be gentle. I do not want to argue anymore. Please forgive all my past mistakes. Give me a new heart. A heart with humility and gentleness. Please wash me with your precious blood. Make me new. Lead me and bless me. I want to become like you. Jesus, I love you. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
Dear friend, thanks for being with us today. Jesus loves you. He wants to change your life. Please hold on to Jesus. He will change your life. He will make you and mold you. May Jesus bless you and make you a blessing for many.