March 12, 2021
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30 NIV)
Several years ago, the Lord impressed upon me a definition of humility which was, “to be teachable by him in every circumstance and through every person”. This occurred at a time when was I being resistant to believing that I could learn something from someone with whom I disagreed with. This came back to my mind in the last few weeks as I was pondering the state of our world and all the division in our country. This has become acute within those who call themselves Christians. We have taken sides and we do not think that those we disagree with might be able help us to better understand, if we would only humble ourselves and genuinely listen to them.
This division is quite contrary to Ephesians 4:1-7 which states, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”
Note that Jesus said of himself that “I am gentle and humble in heart” when he invited all who are weary and burdened to come to him for rest for their souls. (Matthew 11:25-30). Jesus is the exact representation of God our Father’s being (Hebrews 1:3) and if we know him, we know our Father as well (John 14:7-11). This is quite astounding to me, to realize that Jesus is humble and gentle in heart because God our Father is humble and gentle in heart. They are one in all things! As I pondered what does this mean, that God our Father is gentle and humble in heart, I thought about Hebrews 4:16 which states, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” I would paraphrase this to mean that God our Father is approachable at all times and in all circumstances. Those who look to him are radiant and their faces are never covered with shame (Psalm 37:4). The Father in the parable of the lost son was eagerly looking to see his son’s face again and welcomed him back with a loving embrace and a celebration (Luke 15:11-32).
Jesus came from his Father full of grace and truth (John 1:14) and from that fullness we have been given grace upon grace (John 1:16). The word grace means to be favorably inclined towards and to lean towards someone to share benefit for them. Jesus is inviting us to come to him in with our weariness and to take his yoke upon us and learn from him. This requires humility on our part to admit that we need grace for whatever we face in daily life. The yoke that Jesus is offering us, is the yoke of his being one with his Father, who at the very core of his being is love (1 John 4:8). When we submit to this, we find rest for our souls, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light. This is the reality of the Christian life, Christ alive in me sharing his life with me in every circumstance that I may encounter. His is in me and I am in him (John 14:20), therefore come what may, all will be well with my soul when I remember that this is the truth.
However, this leads me to ask myself, do people see me as approachable, especially those whom I disagree with? Would they think that I would listen to them? When they interact with me will they experience mercy and grace? Will their burdens be made lighter? This is something that I must take seriously because if people do not see me as approachable then there is a disconnect between my heart and Jesus. Therefore, my constant prayer is that the humble and gentle heart of Jesus, will be manifest in me, that I may walk worthy of the calling I have received by being completely humble and gentle in heart. Will you also with join me in this prayer?
Blessings,
Kevin