Lent in Reverse (12th)


As we walk away from Jerusalem with the Disciples back to Galilee (where it all began and must begin again) I'm posting my Lenten devotionals in reverse.  Most of them.  Also, this devo was written while I was in DC, so understand that I'm not there *right* now.
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Gentleness is Next to Godliness

Isaiah 42:1-9

A bruised reed.  A smoldering wick.  These images in Isaiah are definitely analogies for people.  There are lots of terms I'd use to describe people but a reed or a wick don't immediately jump to mind.

Milk toast?  Wimp?  Bruised apple?  I can be described in quite a few ways.

But what was meant as an insult becomes a sensitivity that Christ can handle.  Gentleness is in short supply in our world.  We appreciate brute force, complete domination, and the removal of what is imperfect.

Christ doesn't work like that.  What is imperfect is actually worth saving.  If there has ever been a bad word used to describe you then Christ won't indulge it.

We cheapen justice when we degrade it to mere punishment.  Justice is about making things right!  And making things right takes a gentleness that Christ has.

Prayer:
O God, I am not always gentle.
But you are a just God who continues to uphold the broken.
May I feel your strength and help others find it as well.
Amen.

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