11/02/2026
GENTLENESS (continued)
The Greek word “Praotes” brings forth the meaning: “not easily provoked.” The person with this quality has been made meek, humble, gentle. Just as a horse is disciplined, trained to conform to the wishes of its master, so are we to be conformed to the wishes of our Master, our Jesus.
There is another of God’s creatures who possesses gentleness – the Lamb. Jesus is called “The Lamb of God” Some farmers are prone to consider sheep as dumb, but Jesus, the Lamb was not dumb, meaning stupid. Before Pilot, he did not open His mouth.
Years ago, my mother took a live lamb to the children of her Cradle Roll division at church. She was soft, sweet and cuddly. The children gave her a name, hugged her soft wooly coat, and wanted to take her home with them; and my mother wanted to as well!
There is a spiritual chorus that many mornings I wake up to and sing softly to myself. Here it is:
“Gentle Shepherd, come and feed us,
For we need your strength from day to day
Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us
For we need You to help us find our Way.”
As the 23rd Psalm reads, “The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the shadow of death I will fear no evil.”
The true story of the life of Deitric Bonhoffer reveals not only his gentleness, but also his courage. During the war, I believe it was WW11, he was dragged to a concentration camp where he was tortured and killed. Yet, he was willing to endure this undeserved treatment by his reliance on his Master; his trust in God. You see, the guards disapproved of his spiritual life; his trust in God.
Gentleness is NOT a weakness. The bold, impetuous Moses of Scripture, needed 50 years in a desert, under God’s control, to soften him. Most of us need an entire lifetime to be molded into gentleness
Henry Ward Beecher wrote: “Meekness is a form of love. It is receiving personal injury, yet having such a predominant of love in you that you wish the man who does it, good, blessing for railing and cursing, and prayers for those who despitefully use you.” This sounds like forgiveness to me. Do you agree? Jesus taught us to “turn the other cheek.”
Remember that on the cruel cross Jesus uttered the words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” He forgave the thief next to Him and those who crucified Him. What incredible love!
John Henry Newman wrote: “a gentle man never inflicts pain.”
Dr. Billy Graham wrote the text” “blessed are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5. “A river under control can be used to generate power. A fire under control can heat a home. Meekness is power, strength, spirit and wildness under control.”
Oswald Chambers wrote: “If I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity even though people may treat me like a “doormat.”
Deitrich Bonhoffer wrote: “We are not Christ, but if we want to be Christians, we must have some share in Christ’s large-heartedness by acting with responsibility and in freedom when the hour of danger comes, and by showing a real sympathy, that springs not from fear, but from the liberating and redeeming love of Christ for all who suffer.”
One last quote: Watchman Nee wrote: “Jesus said to those who had come to take Him, “I am He” so peacefully and so quietly that instead of Him being nervous, it was they who trembled and fell backwards.”
Now, having written all the above, I have some soul-searching to do! How often do I get impatient? How often do I answer with a snarky attitude? How often am I angry when our toilet seat is soiled? How often do I complain or gossip about some other resident here? Open my heart Lord, and shut my mouth, because I can’t do it on my own! Lord, please shut my critical mouth and mind and make it open to those who suffer from health issues, loneliness or heartache!
There is more that could be said about gentleness, and I’ll have to decide if I’ll write another piece about it.
For me, my goal is to be as gentle as a lamb, and by inviting Jesus, the Lamb, into my heart, that will be accomplished! Is this your desire too?
“Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart Lord Jesus
Come in today, come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus!”
Lovingly,
Nancy