Gentleness is power under control,” It is the taming of a wild horse. Sometimes we might associate the world meek with gentleness. It is in that way that I wish to look at gentleness today. Many people think that when we mention meekness or gentleness, the first thing that comes to some of those minds is weakness, meekness is not weakness. As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, I see a clear picture of gentleness and meekness as Jesus rode into town.
- He rode on a donkey, not the way an average king or president comes to town.
- Luke 19:28-35 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage[c] and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’”
32 So those who were sent went their way and found it just as He had said to them. 33 But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”
34 And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” 35 Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him.
- Luke 19:28-35 When He had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when He drew near to Bethphage[c] and Bethany, at the mountain called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples, 30 saying, “Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here. 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you loosing it?’ thus you shall say to him, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’”
- He remained silent, knowing that the people that were praising Him now would change.
- Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying:
“‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’[d]
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” - Luke 23:21 But they kept shouting, “Crucify him, Crucify him.”
- Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying:
- He wept
- Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
Application for Us today
- No think of yourselves more high than others.
- Romans 12:3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
- Gentle words
- Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.
- Proverbs 15:4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
- Share the love with gentleness
- I Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
