Jesus Describes Himself
(Speaking about Jesus)
“But what was He like personally down inside His skin? Is there any place, for example, where He describes Himself? The answer is yes. Does that description fit the common idea of human greatness? The answer is no. Unlike most influential, celebrity types, Jesus’ description of Himself doesn’t sound like the popular hype we’ve grown accustomed to hearing.
…
…I have found only one place where Jesus Christ – in His own words – describes his own “inner man.” In doing so, those words are not phenomenal and great. He doesn’t even mention that He was sought after as a speaker. Although it is true, He doesn’t say: “I am wise and powerful,” or “I am holy and eternal,” or “I am all-knowing and absolute deity.” Do you know what He said? Hold on, it may surprise you.
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 SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS (Matt. 11:28-29).
I am gentle. I am humble. These are servant terms. Gentle is the same word we examined rather carefully in chapter 7 when we analyzed that particular characteristic of a servant. The word means strength under control. You may recall, it is used of a wild stallion that has been tamed. “Humble in heart” means lowly – the word picture of a helper. Unselfishness and thoughtfulness are in the description. It doesn’t mean weak and insignificant, however.
Frankly, I find it extremely significant that when Jesus lifts the veil of silence and once for all gives us a glimpse of Himself, the real stuff of His inner person, He uses gentle and humble. As we came to realize early in this book, when we read that God the Father is committed to forming us to the image of His Son, qualities such as these are what He wants to see emerge. We are never more like Christ than when we fit into His description of Himself.”
~From Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living by Charles Swindoll
“But what was He like personally down inside His skin? Is there any place, for example, where He describes Himself? The answer is yes. Does that description fit the common idea of human greatness? The answer is no. Unlike most influential, celebrity types, Jesus’ description of Himself doesn’t sound like the popular hype we’ve grown accustomed to hearing.
…
…I have found only one place where Jesus Christ – in His own words – describes his own “inner man.” In doing so, those words are not phenomenal and great. He doesn’t even mention that He was sought after as a speaker. Although it is true, He doesn’t say: “I am wise and powerful,” or “I am holy and eternal,” or “I am all-knowing and absolute deity.” Do you know what He said? Hold on, it may surprise you.
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 SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS (Matt. 11:28-29).
I am gentle. I am humble. These are servant terms. Gentle is the same word we examined rather carefully in chapter 7 when we analyzed that particular characteristic of a servant. The word means strength under control. You may recall, it is used of a wild stallion that has been tamed. “Humble in heart” means lowly – the word picture of a helper. Unselfishness and thoughtfulness are in the description. It doesn’t mean weak and insignificant, however.
Frankly, I find it extremely significant that when Jesus lifts the veil of silence and once for all gives us a glimpse of Himself, the real stuff of His inner person, He uses gentle and humble. As we came to realize early in this book, when we read that God the Father is committed to forming us to the image of His Son, qualities such as these are what He wants to see emerge. We are never more like Christ than when we fit into His description of Himself.”
~From Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living by Charles Swindoll
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