Gentleness

The word “meekness” has an improper reputation. The base word “meek” even rhymes with a word with which it has been associated:  weak. But, meekness does not mean weakness. 
 
Twice the Scriptures refer to Jesus as meek. A prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 Jesus is mentioned in Matthew 21:5, “Behold, your King is coming to you meek and riding on a donkey.” Jesus even said of Himself, “I am meek and lowly in heart…” (Matthew 1:29).
 
All the classical drawings of Jesus make Him out to be some effeminate man who has not seen the light of day in quite a while.  This is the prevailing view of meekness.  Furthermore, He is relegated to ranks of the outcasts of society who run in small groups of people just like them and look down on others who are not as smart.  This is the popular view of a geek.
 
Jesus was meek, but He was not weak. He was raised to be a carpenter in the days before technology advances made things somewhat easier. He walked everywhere He went on hot, dusty roads. He endured the worst death known to men—the cross—preceded by a beating that killed many others who endured it. Not one time did He crack. And, perhaps the strongest thing He ever did was to look down from that cross and pray, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34).
 
Jesus was the perfect example of one who was both tender and tough, the reality of what gentleness is. Jesus made children comfortable in His presence while making some adults very uncomfortable (Mark 10:14-16; Matthew 21:12-13). He forgave a woman caught in adultery violating the Jewish law while rebuking the religious leaders (John 8:1-12; Matthew 23). He could eat with outcasts while rebuking Peter, who was a member of His group (Luke 15:2; Mark 8:31-33). There are other examples of this.
 
What will gentleness do for me in my life? It will make me a more decisive person (James 1:21).  It will make me a more diligent person (Galatians 6:1). It will make me a more disciplined person (II Timothy 2:25). It will make me a more defensive person (I Peter 3:15).
 
Gentleness will make me a more docile person (James 3:13). It will make me a more disputing person (I Timothy 6:11-12). It will make me a more daring person (II Corinthians 10:1). It will make me a more dug in person (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:12).
 
If this is what gentleness will do for me, God, give me a heavy dose! 

— Mike Johnson