Gentle

I recently saw a video montage of new dads holding their firstborn child for the very first time. As they stood in the hospital room with a small bundle of humanity in their arms, some smiled stupidly, others cooed and talked like babies themselves, while others were reduced to muddled messes bawling their eyes out with joy. Here were grown men with the power to do great harm to the weak, helpless baby in their arms, yet rather than engage in some act of "survival of the fittest," these fathers were extremely and appropriately gentle.

That's what the Heart of Jesus is like towards you.

Meek For Your Sake

In Matthew 11:28-30 (our key passage for this blog series), Jesus tells us why we should take His yoke upon us and learn from Him: "for I am gentle..." The good ol' King James Version of the Bible translates that phrase, "for I am meek." The definition I've heard multiple Christians give of meekness is "strength under control."

In other words, the hands that burst stars into space and pinched mountains into place are the same hands that can hold you and give you peace. The Son of God is not like the gods of mythology who rage and destroy simply for the pleasure of it. Rather, He entered the frailty of humanity in order to reveal His gentle heart toward us.

If you've been angry at God lately or running from Him or are simply tired from all you've been carrying, don't just lean upon Jesus, but fall completely into His arms, for He is gentle toward you. Romans 2:4 reminds us that it is God's kindness that leads to repentance. Not His wrath. Not His power. Not His awesomeness or justice or perfection. It is His kindness, His meekness, His gentleness toward us weak, helpless sinners.

So may you rest in His gentleness today like a newborn resting in its father's arms.