When I think of how Jesus is described as gentle and lowly, I immediately picture Mr. Rogers.
This might date me a bit and show my age, but I grew up glued to the TV set whenever Mr. Rogers appeared. He was calm, soft-spoken, full of childlike wonder and imagination.
Fred Rogers took the time to speak directly and honestly with kids, looking us in the eye and making us feel like he cared.
Mr. Rogers had a seminary degree and believed his ministry was to be a different model and option on television, different than the silliness and violence that was only beginning to make its way to the tube in the late 60s and 70s.
As much as we all might appreciate Mr. Rogers, is this what Jesus meant when he described himself as gentle and lowly of heart?
What Is the Context of Matthew 11:29?
In Matthew 11, Jesus addresses a multitude of people, including his disciples and the crowds, after John the Baptist had sent messengers to inquire about Jesus’ true identity. Was Jesus the Messiah?
The Son of God begins by affirming John’s role as the forerunner from Malachi, the prophet who was to prepare the way for the coming Messiah. He praises John’s ministry and highlights the significance of John the Baptist’s message.
Jesus doesn’t directly answer whether he is the Messiah, but he does answer the question. Jesus responds to the inquiry from John (are you the Messiah or do we wait on another) by listing the miracles that he’s done.
The disciples were instructed to take that list back to John the Baptist — the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the poor have the gospel preached to them, and people are blessed when they’re not offended by Jesus.
In other words, the broken are healed. The Messiah was to bring the Kingdom, and the Kingdom sets everything right. God’s design wasn’t that anyone would be deaf, lame, diseased, blind, or in poverty.
The Good News is a Kingdom was on the way that would heal the broken, which is an Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah 35:5 and the Year of Jubilee from the Old Covenant (Leviticus 25).
John the Baptist would have understood the reference, as did the crowd around Jesus, as well.
While Jesus affirms the ministry of John the Baptist, and in the context of being blessed if not offended by the Messiah, Jesus turns his attention to the cities where most of his mighty works were performed, particularly Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum.
Despite witnessing extraordinary miracles, these cities didn’t repent and believe in Jesus. The Messiah himself pronounces woes upon them, declaring a severe judgment upon them.
Jesus contrasts their unbelief with the response of other Gentile cities like Tyre, Sidon, and even Sodom, suggesting these cities would have repented if the same miracles had been performed in their midst.
Following this pronouncement, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father, expressing gratitude that these things have been revealed to the humble and childlike rather than the wise and learned. Jesus then describes himself as “gentle and lowly in heart.”
Jesus invites those who carry great burdens, those who are weak and have great difficulty, to come to him and enjoy the rest he offers.
This harkens back to the original inquiry from John about his identity as the Messiah. The Messiah would come to heal the broken, and here is his invitation to the broken, the sinner, the condemned.
In fact, his whole ministry was to the hurting and the sick, the sinner. For those who were offended by that and chose to retain their condemnation, they would receive it, hence the judgment pronounced upon them. They had been given the choice and truth.
But Jesus doesn’t describe himself as a harsh taskmaster. Even amid a pronouncement about the judgment, he declares his identity as gentle and lowly of heart.
What Does it Mean That Jesus Is Described as ‘Gentle and Lowly’?
There seems to be a tension here, a contrast of judgment and love. And yet, there is no tension within God’s love.
God sent his Son to the world to save the people already condemned. Jesus makes it clear that he didn’t come to condemn the world (John 3:17) but to save those already marked for eternal death.
A radical event and change had to take place, his death and resurrection, in order to provide that path back to life in the Father. Enacting that plan wasn’t one of hate or anger but of humility and love.
Therefore, Jesus describes himself as gentle and lowly of heart.
The term gentle refers to Jesus’ demeanor and attitude toward others. It conveys his kindness, tenderness, and compassion. He interacted with people in a gentle and loving manner, treating them with respect and empathy.
He showed patience and understanding, especially with those who were marginalized, broken, or considered outcasts. Jesus' gentleness is demonstrated through His healing of the sick, His forgiveness of sins, and His willingness to listen to people's struggles and pain.
Jesus' humility is captured by the phrase lowly. Despite being the Son of God, Jesus chose to lower Himself, taking on human form and submitting to the limitations and challenges of earthly existence (Philippians 2:5-7).
He displayed humility in His ministry by associating with sinners, washing His disciples' feet, and willingly enduring the shame and suffering of the cross. Jesus' humility is a stark contrast to the pride and self-importance often exhibited by worldly leaders and religious authorities.
Together, the terms gentle and lowly portray Jesus as approachable and accessible. He does not distance Himself from humanity but rather draws near to those who are in need. Jesus welcomes the broken, the burdened, and the weary.
His gentleness and lowliness reveal His heart for the lost and His desire to bring healing and restoration. He was incarnated as a man, fully God and fully human, for this exact purpose, to be with us, Emanuel. And to do that, he had to come to us. We could not bridge that gap.
Jesus' gentleness and lowliness also highlight His role as the perfect Savior and Mediator between God and humanity. He is the embodiment of God's love and mercy, exemplifying the Father's heart toward His creation.
In His gentleness, Jesus offers forgiveness and redemption to those who repent and turn to Him. In His lowliness, He provides a bridge between the human and divine, reconciling sinful humanity with a holy God.
Furthermore, Jesus' gentleness and lowliness serve as an invitation for all to come to Him. He extends His grace and mercy to anyone who recognizes their need for Him. Jesus does not turn away the brokenhearted or reject those burdened by sin.
Instead, He welcomes them with open arms, offering rest and salvation. He assures them that His yoke is easy and His burden is light, promising to provide the strength and comfort needed to navigate life's challenges.
What Else Does the Bible Say Related to Jesus Being ‘Gentle and Lowly’?
In addition to Matthew 11:29, there are several other passages in the Bible that speak about Jesus' humility and gentleness.
Philippians 2:5-8 is often referred to as the “Kenosis” passage, which describes Jesus' self-emptying and humble nature.
It states, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
This passage highlights Jesus' willingness to humble Himself by taking on human form and ultimately sacrificing Himself for the redemption of humanity.
Matthew 21:5 recounts Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It says, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”
Jesus' choice to ride on a humble donkey rather than a majestic horse demonstrates His humility and servanthood, contrary to the expectations of a conquering king.
The Apostle Paul writes about the gentleness of Christ in 2 Corinthians 10:1. He states, “I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ — I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!” Paul highlights Jesus' meekness and gentleness as qualities that should be emulated by believers.
Isaiah 53:7 prophetically describes the humility and gentleness of Jesus: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”
This passage portrays Jesus' submission to suffering and His refusal to defend Himself, exemplifying His gentle and humble nature.
What Are Important Lessons for Us That Jesus Is ‘Gentle and Lowly’?
As disciples and followers of Jesus, his description as gentle and lowly holds important lessons for us. These lessons include the following:
1. Humility and Servanthood. Jesus willingly set aside His divine glory to serve humanity and even washed the feet of His disciples as an act of humility (John 13:1-17).
As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His example by humbly serving others, setting aside our pride, and considering the needs of others above our own.
2. Compassion and Empathy. Jesus showed kindness to sinners, healed the sick, and comforted the hurting. Christians are called to emulate this compassion by extending love, mercy, and empathy to those around them.
We can reflect Christ’s character and bring comfort to those in need by being gentle and understanding.
3. Approachability and Acceptance. Jesus welcomed sinners and outcasts, offering them forgiveness and restoration. Christians are encouraged to follow His example by creating a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone feels valued and loved.
When we embrace others with gentleness and humility, we can reflect Christ's love and draw people closer to Him.
4. Patience and Forgiveness. Despite facing rejection and betrayal, Jesus responded with grace and forgiveness. Christians are called to exercise patience in their relationships and extend forgiveness to those who have wronged them.
By imitating Jesus' gentleness in handling conflicts and extending forgiveness, we promote reconciliation and demonstrate the transformative power of Christ's love.
5. Trusting God's Plan. Jesus’ lowly nature demonstrates that true greatness lies in surrendering to God's will. Christians are called to trust God's plan for their lives, even when it may seem difficult or unclear.
We find peace and fulfillment in God’s purpose for ourselves and others by following Jesus’ example of humble obedience.
6. Rest and Refreshment. Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28). Christians can learn the importance of resting in Jesus' presence, finding solace in His love, and relying on His strength.
By recognizing their dependence on Him and seeking His rest, believers can experience spiritual renewal and find comfort during life's challenges.
Understanding Jesus as gentle and lowly carries important lessons for us. By embracing humility, compassion, approachability, and trust in God, we can reflect the character of Christ and have a transformative impact on relationships and spread the gospel to a lost and dying world.
For further reading:
Why Should We Take Jesus' Yoke Upon Ourselves?
Who Is the Man of Sorrows in the Bible?
How Is Jesus the 'Firstborn of the Dead'?
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