What comes to mind when you think of “gentle”?
I prefer a gentle breeze to a cold sharp wind.
I like to ride a quiet mare, rather than a feisty horse.
A Tender touch verses a heavy hand...
A calm ocean...
A mild mannered child...
"A gentle hand may lead an elephant with a single hair.”
Persian Proverb
But what if that elephant is…well you know…that huge and undeniable
“elephant in the room”?
Persian Proverb
But what if that elephant is…well you know…that huge and undeniable
“elephant in the room”?
Meaning that there is an apparent problem right in front of you that is embarrassing…
terribly taboo and needs immediate attention.
Can a quiet attitude work even then?
I am talking about a big and obvious elephant…
A woman caught in adultery.
John 8
Verses 1-3 “Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.”
The “religious” leaders of the day were trying to ensnare Jesus with
a problem, a controversial issue…
Verses 4-5, “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
The law of Moses says to stone her.
What do you say?”
But Jesus did not take the bait...instead…the spirit of gentleness filled the air…
Verses 6-8, “They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him,
but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said,
“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”
Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.”
terribly taboo and needs immediate attention.
Can a quiet attitude work even then?
I am talking about a big and obvious elephant…
A woman caught in adultery.
John 8
Verses 1-3 “Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.”
The “religious” leaders of the day were trying to ensnare Jesus with
a problem, a controversial issue…
Verses 4-5, “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery.
The law of Moses says to stone her.
What do you say?”
But Jesus did not take the bait...instead…the spirit of gentleness filled the air…
Verses 6-8, “They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him,
but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.
They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said,
“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”
Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.”
Verse 9, “When the accusers heard this,
they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest,
until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.”
The elephant was being led away.
What the religious leaders meant to destroy, only revealed the truth…
The truth that God’s love is for
Me…You…and Everyone
Who accepts his gentle forgiveness.
Verses 10-11, “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman,
“Where are your accusers?
Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she said.
And Jesus said,
“Neither do I.
Go and sin no more.”
(NLT)
Gentleness is a solution to what torments this world…
Let it be your attitude this week…tender, ready to do good in every way possible,
Calm and peaceful with the warmth of kindness…
A gentle spirit comes from God.
Use it wisely and as often as you can!
Prayer:
Dear Lord…I pray that gentleness will be my approach to life…
That I too may have a gentle hand and heart,
that leads the elephant out and embraces those who need,
your love and forgiveness.
Amen.
Caprice <><
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