A Self-Description of Jesus
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
I’ve been involved in a serious study of Scripture for most of my life. In all that time, I have found only one place where Jesus Christ—in His own words—describes His own “inner man.”
In doing so, He uses only two words. Unlike most celebrities, those words are not phenomenal and great. Jesus doesn’t even mention that He was sought after as a speaker.
Although it is true, He doesn’t say: “I am wise and powerful,” or “I am holy and eternal,” or “I am all-knowing and absolute deity.” Do you remember what He said?
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.” (Matthew 11:28–29 emphasis added)
I am gentle. I am humble. Both are servant terms. “Gentle” means strength under control. It is like a wild stallion that has been tamed. “Humble” means lowly—the word picture of a helper.
Unselfishness and thoughtfulness are in the description. It doesn’t mean weak and insignificant, however.
Frankly, I find it significant that when Jesus lifts the veil of silence and once for all gives us a glimpse of Himself—the real stuff of His inner person—He uses gentle and humble.
God the Father is committed to conforming us to the image of His Son, and qualities such as these are what He wants to see emerge. We pastors are never more like Christ than when we reflect Christ’s description of Himself.
How do those things reveal themselves? In what way do we best reveal them? In our obedience. Servanthood and obedience are linked together like Siamese twins.
The finest illustration of an obedient servant is the Son Himself, who openly confessed, “I do nothing on My own . . . . For I always do what pleases Him” (John 8:28–29).
In other words, Jesus’ self-description was verified by His obedience. Like no one else who has ever lived, He practiced what He preached. That’s my goal too. Is it yours?
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About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
