Week 4
Gentle in Heart
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11
Recently, I saw a painting of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. You know the one, or one just like it – there are dozens of versions. I looked at this image hundreds of times as a little girl, pulling the bookmark copy from my Bible to entertain myself while the pastor droned on. I know it so well that if I had skills, I could draw it.
There stands Jesus in a lush green meadow surrounded by sheep and cuddling in his strong arms, one little lamb. Every time I saw the painting I subconsciously projected myself to be that little lamb - dearly loved and safely protected - likely what the artist intended. But on this particular day a few weeks ago, I had quite a different experience. I became aware of a darker feeling rising in me - envy. Envy?! Was I envious of this imaginary little lamb?
I’ve learned to pay attention as these faint emotions raise their hands to speak. These great little messengers can be very instructive if I will not reject them but instead let them speak.
“Yes?” I acknowledged.
“You think you are not that little lamb,” the voice instructed, “and you’re wondering why Jesus doesn’t pick you. You’re wondering how that little lamb got to be so special? What about all the rest of the flock that didn’t get held? What about you? You feel left out, overlooked.”
My eye went to the other sheep on the ground, the unlucky ones, the ones still standing, apart, not held. A surge of compassion went through me as I thought of friends who follow the Good Shepherd faithfully and feel unheld, overlooked. My eyes filled with tears as I identified with one sheep in particular who stood looking up at Jesus.
At that moment I was faced with a choice. I could shut the voice down as a ridiculous nuisance or, I could open myself to her gentle wisdom. In choosing the second, I opened myself to the Gentle Shepherd’s touch and was able to hear his voice and receive his love.
The learning of gentleness begins first with extending it to ourselves. It is how we experience the gentleness of Jesus. Until we learn to receive his kindness, we will have none to offer others.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
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.” - Jesus
Matthew 11:28-29 NIV
We have pressed into the humble heart of Jesus and this week we look at his gentle heart. A truly humble person will be gentle. If we are going to find true rest for our souls, we will need to develop a character of gentleness.
What is Gentleness?
Gentleness is controlled strength. When a toddler reaches for the kitty, the parent reminds, “Be gentle,” or in other words, “Control your strength”. Gentleness is choosing to set aside your strength or power for the good of another. But strength comes in many forms besides just physical strength:
· Some people are strong in wit and might choose to restrain their tongue, rather than get the laugh. Gentleness.
· Some people are strong in intellect and might choose to restrain sharing their knowledge to allow another to enjoy a moment of discovery. Gentleness.
· Some people are strong in decisive action and might choose to slow down to allow others to catch up to their idea. Gentleness.
· Some people are strong in faith and might choose to allow others the time and process they need to wrestle with faith. Gentleness.
· Some people are strong in discernment but might choose to hold their thoughts to give space for another to practice hearing God’s voice or until a better time. Gentleness.
Jesus was Gentle
Jesus used the word gentle to describe himself as opposed to several other adjectives he could have chosen – mighty, wise, brave - but this is the one he chose. It is how he saw himself.
The Bible makes it very clear that Jesus was gentle. The Old Testament foretells a Messiah who would be unusually gentle, not breaking a “bruised reed” or snuffing out a “smoldering wick” (Isaiah 42:3). Matthew referenced another Old Testament prophecy when he saw Jesus coming into Jerusalem “gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Matthew 21:5; Zechariah 9:9). Jesus’ gentleness can be seen in story after story as he interacted with children, women, society’s outcasts and the sick. Later, the apostles often reminded the early church of his gentleness: “By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you (2 Corinthians 10:1). Our goal as disciples today, is to act as Jesus would if he were living our lives, and that means with gentleness.
How Can We Become Gentle in Heart?
Be completely humble and gentle;
be patient,
bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2
Gentleness is a fruit that the Spirit produces in us (Galatians 5:22-23). It’s a fruit that grows from the tree of humility. A truly humble person will be gentle so to become gentle, we should practice humility. Aim at humility and we will hit gentleness. As we cooperate with the Spirit of God restraining our strength as he leads us, the fruit of gentleness will flourish.
But the learning of gentleness begins, first and foremost, with receiving. We receive the gentle kindness of Jesus and extend it to ourselves. That’s what I chose to do that morning a few weeks ago, holding longing and unrest as I penned this prayer:
Good Shepherd Jesus,
we all crowd you to get close
in hopes we’ll be the One -
the One you see,
the One you pick up,
the One you hold tightly to your heart.
Your flock is so big
and I am just One.
Why should you stoop to pick me up,
when there are others
with longing just as deep.
Our great desire holds our great fear -
afraid we are not seen,
or worse,
seen and overlooked.
Pick me Good Shepherd! Pick me up!
Quiet me in your gentleness.
Let me be the One.
And...
let them be the One too.
“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)