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Matthew 11:29 - Humble and Gentle Jesus.

Matthew 11:29 (NIV) 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.  

INTRODUCTION

Note: Two of the Beatitudes are apparent 
here. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

A Self-Description of Jesus
   I've been involved in a serious study of 
Scripture for more than fifty years of my life, and in 
all that time I have found only one place where 
Jesus Christ - in His own words - describes His 
own "inner man." In doing so, He uses only two 
words. Unlike most celebrities, those words are not 
phenomenal and great. Jesus 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 remember what He says? 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 will find rest for your 
souls." (Matthew 11:28"29) 
   I am gentle. I am humble. These are 
servant terms. Gentle means "strength under 
control." 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. 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. 
   And how do those things reveal 
themselves? In what way do we reveal them the best? In 
our obedience. Servanthood and obedience go 
together like Siamese twins. And the finest 
illustration of this is the Son Himself who openly 
confesses, "I do nothing on My own initiative  I 
always do the things that are pleasing to Him" 
(John 8:28, 29). 
   In other words, Jesus's self-description 
is verified by His obedience. Like no one else 
who has ever lived, He practices what He 
preaches. 
   We are never more like Christ than when 
we fit into His description of Himself: gentle 
and humble. - Charles R. Swindoll [Chuck 
Swindoll www.insight.org.] 

COMMENTARY

   My husband is a football coach and his 
days are devoted to helping young men develop 
character even as they learn the ins and outs of the 
game. One of the things he does is meet regularly 
with members of the team who aspire to be leaders 
and discuss what makes someone a good leader. 
Theyve talked about grit, courage, and work 
ethic. The lesson this week was humility. It seemed 
to be the hardest one for them so far, and yet 
its probably the most important.  
   Its easy to get confused about what 
humility is. The football guys wanted to associate it 
with being quiet and shy, not being competitive, 
lacking self-confidence. While mental toughness, 
being brave, and working hard all made sense to 
them as leaders, humility seemed foreign. Its 
not what they thought of as a leadership skill. 
 
   C. S. Lewis said, Humility is not 
thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself 
less. My husband told the players that humility is 
really just keeping your accomplishments and talent 
in proper perspective. Its confidence 
without arrogance. Its being strong enough to 
lift others up.  
   Our perfect example in this is Jesus. 
What kind of God issues the invitation in the 
verse above? The same God who chose to be born in 
a barn, work as a carpenter, hang out with 
prostitutes, and die on a cross. For His followers, 
humility is not optional. Its the essence of being 
a Christian. by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry  
   Faith Step: Is humility a word most 
people associate with Christianity in America? With 
you? Find a humble way to serve. Help at the food 
bank. Babysit someones kids. Clean out your 
neighbors flower bed. The options arent glamorous, 
but theyre endless. [Mornings With Jesus 2020 
Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] 

   Who was the strongest man to ever walk 
the face of the earth? Jesus Christ. No one was 
stronger. As the Creator in human form, He simply 
could have spoken His enemies out of existence. 
   Do you think He had to submit himself to 
Pontius Pilate? 
   Jesus could have said, Youre 
getting on my nerves. Youre dead. Bye. 
   He could have walked out of there.
   On one occasion, people from the 
synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth tried to throw 
him off a cliff. But the Bible tells us that 
passing through the midst of them, He went His 
way (Luke 4:30 NKJV). It was as if to say, 
Yeah, Im not going off a cliff today. Im 
going right through here, and youre getting out 
of my way. 
   Jesus controlled that power, submitted, 
gave up his rights, and laid himself down. He 
didnt lay aside His divinity, but He did lay aside 
his rights. He suffered for us and died on the 
cross. 
   In Matthew 11:29 Jesus said of himself, 
I am gentle and lowly in heart (NKJV). 
   Joseph, too, is a classic example of 
meekness. Even though his brothers betrayed him and 
sold him into slavery, he became the second most 
powerful man in Egypt through Gods providence. 
   And later, when a famine struck the land 
and his brothers went to Egypt in search of 
food, Joseph was in charge of the food supply. 
They didnt recognize him. Certainly they 
didnt think he was alive. 
   Joseph, with a snap of his finger, could 
have had them all put to death. But instead he 
forgave them. That was meekness - power under 
constraint. 
   Jesus said, Blessed are the meek 
(Matthew 5:5 NKJV). If you want to be a happy person, 
then seek to become a man or woman of meekness. 
[Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Christ and Find 
Real Rest! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170123-1103.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: 
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657