Jesus Strong and Kind

Jesus Strong and Kind

Everybody has heard of Jesus. Not everyone is taken with Him. I remember counseling a young couple who were caught in a pattern of being mean to one another, really mean. The young woman, who I barely knew, said of the young man, with whom I had some familiarity: “No offense, pastor, but he doesn’t need Jesus. What he needs is a pill.” I would still maintain that, while people may at times need pills, what we all really need most is Jesus.

In the title above, the song speaks of Jesus who has contrasting qualities which are not in conflict with one another, and yet He is able to demonstrate both fully. Jesus, as we know Him from the Gospels, stands firm; teaches unflinchingly; endures criticism and false accusation; perseveres with grace under the pressure of the crowds, and puts His relationship with the Father over things like sleep and food. He is strong.

Jesus is also kind and tender with those who are weak and afflicted. He sympathizes. He helps and He heals. While Jesus is strong, He is also kind.

Imagine with me for a moment if Jesus had been the opposite: not strong and kind, but weak and cruel. We know people like that. We call them bullies. They use bluster and threats to hide their own weaknesses. And if Jesus had been like that, He would not have been worthy of following. But there is so much more.

Jesus is always on time with a word, a question, a rebuke, a story or illustration. He knows men and women so well, better than they know themselves, that He can put His finger on the issue immediately. If someone asks me a tough question, I usually say, “Let me think about it.” Or we review a conversation in our heads, and think, “I wish I would have said this,” or worse, “I shouldn’t have said that.” Jesus is able to answer on time, and perfectly, because He already understands us completely.

Jesus is good with both individuals and crowds. With individuals, he focuses attention and probes and leads them along in their thinking without making a decision for them. He allowed the rich, young ruler to walk away, and also Nicodemus. At least one of them returned. And then with the crowds, Jesus speaks to the masses so that they all understand. He gives clear instructions and makes sharp distinctions. He illustrates from nature and makes comparisons that even children can follow. 

One thought that I appreciate most is that, whether with individuals or crowds, it never becomes just about Himself. As with the blind man or Zacchaeus, no one is too unimportant or unpopular for His attention. He is truly interested in the lowliest of people. And with the crowds, His ego never gets in the way. He doesn’t appear to be impressed with Himself. He doesn’t brag about the numbers or market His miracles. 

He is just Jesus, the Son of Man who lived the life here that we were all meant to live until sin entered the world and entered me and you and made us bent and crooked. But Jesus is just; He is truth; He is kind; He is the most interesting Person who ever walked this planet, and worthy of our attention and worship. 

So let’s start paying more attention to Jesus than to presidential candidates and basketball players.