THE MEEKNESS OF CHRIST

Devotion #7 of 13

"I am meek and lowly in heart" -- Jesus LEARN FROM ME! A suppressed view

It is tragic that significant proportions of the religious world reject this invitation--"LEARN FROM ME!". "Learn of Me" (KJV) does not mean "learn ABOUT Me," but "learn FROM me." It is an invitation for Christ to be your Teacher. In fact, that is why the Father gave us to Christ. The heavenly agenda was revealed on the mount of transfiguration. "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; HEAR YE HIM" (Matt 17:5). Jesus is the divine Spokesman to the human race! What God has to say to us is said through Him. "God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds" (Heb 1:1-2). The objective of these words is not the development of a theological position, but the maturation of faith and expectation. Sensitivity to the Person of Christ is essential to our instruction. If He is the appointed Instructor--and He surely is--then we must have "ears to hear" (Matt 11:15; 13:9). Ultimately, of course, it is God that gives people ears to hear. That capacity does not come through Adam or by nature. Those insensitive to God were told, "Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day" (Deut 29:4). Those desiring that capacity will be granted it, however.

Jesus uses means

Jesus uses means to instruct us, yet He Himself remains the divinely appointed Instructor. He teaches us through the Scriptures and our recollection of them. Life's circumstances are transformed into a heavenly classroom, managed and made profitable by the teaching Jesus! The Holy Spirit is employed by the Savior in our instruction, bearing witness with our spirit that we are the children of God (Rom 8:16). He teaches us through chastening, blessing, and our affection--but He Himself teaches us. He does so because He is "meek and lowly in heart," i.e., He is accessible to us, and can be approached by us without fear. God be praised for such marvelous provision.

-- TOMORROW: BEHOLD, THE MEEK ONE! --