“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.”
Matthew 11:29)
What did Jesus mean by “gentle and lowly in heart”? Is it true that the meek shall inherit the Earth? What does the Bible say about gentleness as meekness but not weakness? There are many characters in the Bible described as “gentle.” Let’s explore.
The Fruit of Gentleness
Chiefest of all, Jesus is described as gentle (2 Corinthians 10:1). He has ALL power (Matthew 28:18), yet He humbly carried the cross and submitted to death on that cross. It is interesting to observe Simon of Cyrene coming to His aid when Jesus’ fainting nature could no longer bear the cross to the site of the crucifixion. Simon is described as a stranger, yet he was sympathetic to the pain Jesus Christ was going through. This is the fruit of gentleness, being sympathetic to the plight of others.
In this picture of Jesus being aided by Simon, we see the compelling power of gentleness. Here, we observe a stark contrast between two groups of people: the ultra-holy Jews, who were ritually cleansed for the Passover feast, and the Roman "masters," who would not so much as even consider carrying a filthy instrument of torture like a cross for a criminal. Yet, Simon seemed to sense the underlying conflict unfolding in this drama, and Jesus' gentleness inspired gentleness within him. He took up the bloody, spat-upon cross, carrying it the rest of the way to Golgotha without complaint. Indeed, the essence of gentleness lies in prioritizing the suffering of others.
Spirit of Servitude
The Bible describes Moses as the meekest man of his day (see Numbers 12:3). God declared that He had communicated through many messengers, “But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10). This spirit of gentleness taps deeply into the love and power of God. Moses empathized with the plight of his people. He saw their suffering and sought to be associated with the children of Israel even unto death. Gentleness compels one to embrace and vicariously bear the burdens of others. It is not indifferent to the suffering of others. It embodies a heart to serve others without expecting anything in return. Instead, it reflects a spirit of servitude.
Gentleness comes from knowing that God has a plan we need not question. Walking by faith, we can face all obstacles calmly and with a gentle demeanor, such as Moses during the plagues in Egypt and at the Red Sea. The armies of Pharoah may seem to encamp about us, but in calmness, we can await absolute deliverance. In both 2 Samuel 22:36 and Psalm 18:35, King David declared, “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your gentleness has made me great.”
Modern Examples
One of my great-aunts, Morra, reflected on my dad as “one with gentle thoughts.” He could gently carry the weight of fatherhood, and he reminded me of Jesus, who calmly slept while waves violently rocked the boat (see Matthew 8:23–25). Our gentleness is even more possible when we have full confidence that God is the Captain of our boat in life.
Other notable figures who exemplified the power of gentleness in alleviating the struggles of others include Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa. Gandhi embodied this spirit of gentleness while non-violently dismantling the yoke of colonialism in India, liberating many from the harsh conditions they faced in his densely populated nation. Nelson Mandela truly felt the suffering of his people and, with a spirit of gentleness, ended apartheid. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spearheaded a civil rights movement that enacted laws to eliminate humiliation and discrimination. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, along with many other unsung heroes, lived out profound gentleness and transformed the world.
Call to Action
Let us pray for the fruit of gentleness. It truly taps into immense power. “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15). The fruit of gentleness aligns you with the suffering of others and your desire to seek their deliverance –like Jesus did. As we read earlier in Matthew 11:29, Jesus invites us to learn from Him. Those who have embraced the fruit of gentleness have truly become world changers.
Will you embrace the spirit of gentleness and be a world changer for Jesus?
This article is the eighth in a series of articles on the fruits of the Spirit. We plan to publish the last one in ~2-3 months. The last fruit of the Spirit = SELF-CONTROL.
All scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
