“‘看哪，你的王来到你这里，是温柔的，又骑着驴，就是骑着驴驹子。’” – 太 21:5
在马太福音5章3-11节耶稣所说论福的这番话中（通常被称为登山宝训），我们看到：“温柔的人有福了，因为他们必承受地土。”而今天，我们把温柔看作等同于羞怯和懦弱的特征。然而，圣经中温柔的观念与柔和的意思较为接近。当大权在握的人放下他们的权力，谦卑柔和地行事，来寻求更大的益处时，他们就是在彰显温柔的性情了。
很久以前，先知撒迦利亚预言，将会有一位君王骑着驴子进入耶路撒冷。这是一件极不寻常的事，因为一位施行拯救的君王通常都会骑在马背上、作为权力和胜利的象征。然而，耶稣却温和地到来，藉着降卑和死在十字架上，衪将百姓从罪的捆绑中释放出来。随后，衪更以难以置信的惊人的能力从死里复活、战胜了死亡和阴间的权势。这一切都是衪为我们而做的事，衪应许把崭新的、永远丰盛的生命品质赐给凡相信衪的人。
有些时候，我们需要使用权力来维护公义。而另一些时候，以温和的态度来服事却是更好的选择。就让我们祈求圣灵引导我们，为了荣耀耶稣的缘故彰显温柔吧。
祷告
圣灵啊，求你教导我们，什么时候需要坚强勇敢，什么时候需要柔和谦卑，好叫你的国度和子民被建立！奉耶稣名祈求，阿们。
撒迦利亚书 9:9-11
9“锡安的民哪，应当大大喜乐！耶路撒冷的民哪，应当欢呼！看哪，你的王来到你这里，他是公义的，并且施行拯救，谦谦和和地骑着驴，就是骑着驴的驹子。
10我必除灭以法莲的战车和耶路撒冷的战马，争战的弓也必除灭。他必向列国讲和平，他的权柄必从这海管到那海，从大河管到地极。
11“锡安哪，我因与你立约的血，将你中间被掳而囚的人从无水的坑中释放出来。
The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Gentleness
“See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Matthew 21:5
In Jesus’ statements of blessing (often called the Beatitudes) in Matthew 5:3-11, we read, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Today we equate meekness with being shy and timid. But the biblical concept of meekness is closer to gentleness. When a powerful person sets aside their power and acts humbly and gently for a better good, they are displaying meekness.
Long ago Zechariah prophesied about a king who would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. This was quite unusual because a deliverer king would normally ride a horse as a symbol of power and victory. Jesus, however, came in gentleness, freeing his people from the grip of sin and death by humbling himself and dying on a cross. And then in amazing and surprising power he rose in victory over death and the grave. He did all of this for our sake, promising new, full life forever for all who believe in him.
There is a time to use power for righteous reasons, and there is a time when it’s better to serve with gentleness. Let’s ask the Spirit to guide us in showing gentleness for Jesus’ sake.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, teach us when to be strong and bold and when to be humble and gentle so that your kingdom and people may be built up. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
