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Gentle? Humble?


“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 11:28-29) 

            Jesus drove the money-changers out of the Temple. He pronounced seven woes in Matthew 23. He rebuked Pharisees, demons and Peter. Jesus told people over and over that He is the only way and that He is God. He is the same God who flooded the earth to wipe out every living thing, who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and who unleashed the plagues on Egypt. He is the same God who described Himself as jealous and commanded that we should have no other gods before Him. And now He says He is gentle and humble in heart? Is there a punch line we're missing?
          It's all about the words. Gentleness does not mean "never using any force" because if it did, the gentle person would have to stop breathing and eating. We do not refer to a horse that cannot pull a plow, bear the weight or a rider or inspire us with its grace and beauty while running "gentle." We call it "in need of immediate emergency medical attention." Gentleness has to do with strength under control, strength used appropriately, strength guided by love and wisdom. God is capable of, and would be justified in, wiping out the whole universe and sending all of its inhabitants to Hell. The fact that He provides an alternative means that He is gentle even if many people still end up in Hell.
            Now, suppose that I said "I cannot speak English." Would that be an example of humbleness on my part? Certainly, I can't speak English as well as some people, but to say that I cannot speak English would be a lie. For God to say that He is not God, or to grant permission to others to worship something that is not God in His place is not humbleness on God's part, it is an act of spiritual violence. God does not currently manifest Himself to us in a way that gives us no alternative but to acknowledge His godhood with our every thought. God is humble in that He neither forces Himself on us nor lies to us with regard to Himself. God reveals Himself to be gentle and humble in a way that is gentle and humble. For that I am deeply grateful. 

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On the Calendar:
Whoopity Scoorie Day
Anniversary of the establishment of Yellowstone National Park.

Birthday of Frederic Chopin

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