Who is He the People Bless

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:5

During Jesus' earthly ministry, if there's one thing He was "known" for, it was His miracles. He turned water into wine, healed the sick, and even raised men from the dead. And He didn't just do it once. The gospels are full of accounts of His healing people who were sick. Who is He to whom they bring all the sick and sorrowing? He is the King of glory!

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23

When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. Luke 4:40

But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
Luke 5:15

Jesus didn't just heal people physically though. I think an important part of His ministry was how He dealt with people. He was gentle. I believe that His gentleness was another form of healing. Our world is a harsh place. Because of sin, our relationships are difficult and we can get beat up just by being in the world - in the marketplace, at school, and even at home and at church. Jesus was gentle. I'm sure that those whom He interacted with noticed this immediately, and I'm sure that the treatment they received from Him was a sort of healing for their hearts, minds and souls.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 11:28-30

Jesus is gentle and humble in heart. When we turn to Him, we find rest in His gentleness. Just as we need that today, the people living in Jesus' time needed it too. The people were waiting for a King to save them, but I'm sure they didn't expect this kind of king.

This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “SAY TO THE DAUGHTER OF ZION,‘BEHOLD YOUR KING IS COMING TO YOU, GENTLE, AND MOUNTED ON A DONKEY, EVEN ON A COLT, THE FOAL OF A BEAST OF BURDEN.’” Matthew 21:4-5

This King came to them in gentleness, surprising the people. Even though you and I aren't kings, I think we can surprise people by interacting with them in gentleness. Our world now is even harsher than in Jesus' time, especially with all the media and other "substitutes" for human interaction. When we are gentle to those we love and to strangers, we show people the character of Jesus. We have been called to this!

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

As God's chosen people, we have a responsibility to fulfill.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:11-12

How can you treat people today with gentleness?

Who is He in Yonder Stall?
Words by Benjamin Hanby

Who is He in yonder stall
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Who is He in deep distress,
Fasting in the wilderness?

Refrain
’Tis the Lord! O wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall,
Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!

Who is He the people bless
For His words of gentleness?
Who is He to whom they bring
All the sick and sorrowing?

Who is He that stands and weeps
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Who is He the gathering throng
Greet with loud triumphant song?

Lo! at midnight, who is He
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?

Who is He that from the grave
Comes to heal and help and save?
Who is He that from His throne
Rules through all the world alone?