The Gospel According to Paul: Meekness Prevails Under Provocation. Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, May 28, 2018
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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
All Power
Someone once said that meekness is power under control. Who had more power to control than Jesus Christ did? Can you imagine being the all-powerful King of the universe, and clothing yourself in dependent human flesh? Although Jesus created all things, He did not consider Himself so holy that He could not assume flesh in order to save us from eternal death. It was because of the meekness of Christ that we are able to live with God eternally.
When the violent, bloodthirsty mob shouted for Jesus’ death at Calvary, He demonstrated the ultimate lesson in meekness. As He said earlier, He could have called twelve legions of angels to destroy His enemies if He wanted to. Within the corridors of His mind existed the power to obliterate this entire planet. With one thought, He could have destroyed His adversaries, and would have been justified. Our Lord decided that the salvation of souls was far more important than relieving Himself from the burden of ridicule, and death. He truly fettered His power and exhibited self-control.
How to Prevail When Provoked
Jesus is our example. We must look to Him for guidance, and trust Him to keep us under control, especially when we are provoked, and could easily prevail over our enemies. Jesus loves to teach meekness. Do we love to learn?
I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?
