Category: Jesus is Gentle

Let’s read/sing aloud the following scripture, prayer and song as we look to Christ:

Isaiah 57:15 NIV
For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Psalm 103:8, 10-14 NIV
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

Prayer from Psalm 25:7-11: Lord, thank you for remembering me according to your love, for you are good. I ask for your guidance in what is right; teach me your way. I praise you for all your ways are loving and faithful towards those who keep your covenant. I confess my need for your mercy, forgive me for not dealing gently with those around me. I put my trust and hope in you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Let’s sing over our churches, missional groups and campus ministries, picturing the people singing along with us to “Highest Praise” by Phil Wickham (click here).

– CHH

 

Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV
⁷ During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸ Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹ and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰ and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Look at how Jesus is described in verse 7: it says that “during his days on earth” – the Son of God became like one of us through his incarnation. He lived among us and dealt with what we all face in our temptations, weaknesses, and limitations.  Look at how he chose to live – he offered prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the Father God. To “save him from death” doesn’t mean he was trying to escape it. He was asking the Father to save him out of death. Death was not to have the final say. Christ faced death as our King for us, and he was raised/resurrected, achieving victory. On top of that, Jesus offered himself as the perfect sacrifice because he lived in perfect obedience. (P. Jason Han, message excerpt)

Prayer: God, thank you for all that was won on the cross. Hear our prayers for ourselves and intercessions for one another through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s bring our adoration as we sing “Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” by Hillsong Worship (click here).

– CHH

 

Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:2 NIV
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need… He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.

“But then, some deeply troubled souls might ask: Even if He is sympathetic and moved by my suffering, will He really take it all in, understand it fully, and show me compassion according to the magnitude of my pain and sins? … He is someone who ‘can have compassion according to the measure of every one’s distress;’ He takes into account every detail of our suffering and will respond with compassion and assistance, no matter how great it is. He truly understands our pain, for He is a great high priest. No matter how much you suffer, God’s mercy will always be greater…” (T. Goodwin, The Heart of Christ: In Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth)

Without chapter numbers, the end of Hebrews 4 goes straight into Hebrews 5 to show how Jesus both understands us and is able to deal with every sin, suffering and pain – for he alone is called as our great High Priest.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the reality and beauty of your gospel that I am truly loved, forgiven and made whole. May any lingering guilt and shame be washed away. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s praise God with “Nothing But The Blood” by Charity Gayle (click here).

– CHH

 

 

Isaiah 40:10-11 NIV
¹⁰ See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power,
and he rules with a mighty arm…
¹¹ He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young.

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV
Come to me… Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle…

What do you think about when you hear the word “gentle”?

Isaiah 40 shows us a helpful picture of God who is both powerful (v.10 “rules with a mighty arm”) and gentle towards his people (v.11 “carries them close to his heart”). It is not a lack of strength but rather a choosing to wield one’s power with control.

Throughout the New Testament, we see in the flesh how Jesus gently guides and deals with those who need mercy. He doesn’t get bothered when his followers come to him with their concerns. In fact, he tells the sinners and tax collectors, widows and little children, sick and poor to come to him. Our God also invites us to come daily – to guide us forward in worship and obedience, so as to bring us closer to him.

Prayer: God, help me to find rest in coming and learning from your gentle heart, and to receive your care and guidance over my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s draw near to our God as we sing “Sinking Deep” by Hillsong Young & Free (click here).

– CHH