“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” –Matthew 11:28-30
HEART–Bible describes as the center of our being, defining who we are and directing our actions
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. –Proverbs 4:23
GENTLE–Kind, refers to a wild horse that’s been tamed
Jesus is the ultimate example of what gentleness looks like in the new creation…tender, open, welcoming, accommodating, understanding, willing. Showing us mercy gives Him pleasure.
“Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.” –Matthew 5:5
LOWLY–Humble; the destitute
God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. –James 4:6
Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. –Romans 12:16
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted… –Ephesians 4:32
When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless. –Matthew 9:36
MINISTRY OF COMPASSION
Heal the sick (Matthew 14:14)
Feed the hungry (Matthew 15:32)
Teach the crowds (Mark 6:34)
Wipe away tears (Luke 7:13)
“…a friend of sinners!” –Luke 7:34
I pray You strengthen my inner being, that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith; that I, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height, to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:15-19)
I pray for more of You, Jesus. Help me, hold me, fill me, use me…I ask for more of Your kindness and humility…restore me and renew my mind. Saturate me with Your love.
I give up trying to earn Your affection and I let You love me, God. Holy Spirit, take me back to any area of brokenness and wounding in my past, the stuff that’s keeping me in this ditch of self-recrimination, and heal me.
Recommended Book
Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers by Dane Ortlund
Discussion Questions
1. How does Jesus’ “gentle and lowly” nature differ from the harsh and stoic image often portrayed in films about Him?
2. How does the idea of Jesus being gentle affect the way you view Him? How does His gentleness affect how He views you?
3. Are you ever mean to yourself? If so, how can you change that? When will you begin to make those changes?