BS2F - HOW JESUS DESCRIBES HIMSELF
There is only one place in Scripture where Jesus describes himself in his own words. What are the two words that He uses?
Matthew 11:28-30 (especially verse 29)
Our heart is the animating center of all that we do. It is literally who we are and that’s why the wise King Solomon gave us this advice:
Proverbs 4:23
The first word Jesus uses to describe his heart is “praos” in Greek and can be translated by three words:
A. Meek – this is how “praos” is translated in Matthew 5:5.
Meek does not mean weak. If that was the case, Jesus was giving the inheritance of the earth to the wrong people. A meek person is one who endures things with patience and without resentment. This verse in Isaiah gives us a good example of Christ’s meekness.
Isaiah 53:7
B.Humble (or Gentle) –this is how “praos” is translated in Matthew 21:5
In Matthew 21:5 we have Jesus, riding triumphantly into Jerusalem as king on a donkey --- rather than proud and arrogant on a large white steed. For a king to ride on a donkey instead of a horse meant he was coming in peace.
C. Gentle (or Quiet) – this is how “praos” is translated in 1 Peter 3:4
Peter is describing where the true beauty of women should be coming from: a gentle and quiet spirit. This speaks of one who is of a calm temper, a contented mind, and whose emotions are not constantly vexed by the things of this world.
Therefore, the first thing Jesus says about himself is that he is meek, humble, and gentle. He is of calm temper, having a contented mind, and emotions that are not troubled by the things in the world. If “praos” is the first word Jesus uses to describe himself then what is the second word?
Matthew 11:29
Lowly is from the Greek word “tapeinos”. Translators often use the word humble to translate this word (as in Matthew 11:29 and James 4:6). While humble does describe Christ’s character, it is not the sense used in Matthew 11:29.
Jesus is giving the reason we can and should come to him and embrace His Father’s kingdom. He is not harsh, overbearing, and oppressive like the Pharisees were. No, his laws are reasonable and they would be easy to obey.
Since Jesus is meek and lowly in heart, we can be assured that He is accessible to us. A king being accessible to anyone was unheard of. But no one was more approachable than Jesus. WHO qualifies to have an audience with Jesus?
Matthew 11:28A
It's our burdens and problems that actually qualify us to come to Jesus and talk things over with Him. Do we need to pay for this privilege?
Matthew 11:28B
Notice the words “I will give you….” It means no payment will ever be needed to come to Him. He is freely accessible to any and all of us. Jesus is gentle, open, and welcoming to us but that does not mean He is mushy and weak. Gentle and lowly is who Jesus is to any of us who are penitent and see our need of Him.
But to those who are self-righteous, self-important, and impenitent, such as the teachers of the law and the pharisees, Jesus was as tough as a lion. As you read Christ’s words in Matthew 23, count the times Jesus warns them with “Woe to you…”
Matthew 23:1-36
In Matthew 11:29 Jesus talks about taking HIS yoke upon ourselves. A farmer would yoke two oxen together so they would work as a team to do the work of farming. If the yoke didn’t fit them right it would chaff on their necks, make them agitated, and unable to keep in step with each other.
Now Jesus is saying that He wants to be yoked together with us in the life that we live. It’s true that a yoke does apply a restraint on us. We can’t just run wild apart from Jesus if we are going to work together. But Jesus tells us in the next verse how His yoke is going to feel for us.
Matthew 11:30
In comparison with all the burdensome rules and regulations of the Jewish religion or of other pagan religions, His yoke will seem easy for us and no burden at all. When we are yoked just right with Jesus we will work together as a team that will do much for the Kingdom of God.
Jesus does not just meet us in our place of need. He actually walks right alongside of us as the gentle and lowly Savior. If we agree to pick up the yoke that He makes for the two of us, then we’ll find “his yoke is easy and his burden is light”.
Next Study: BS2G-Christ's Actions Reflect His Heart