"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
~Matthew 11:29
I sometimes think about how different the feel of online spaces would be if we as Christ followers actually took seriously Jesus’ words in this verse from Matthew 11.
We are called to learn from Him.
Why?
Because He’s arrogant and prideful? Because He’s the loudest voice?
Because He has the most followers and is a sought-after “influencer”?
Because He shouts down everyone else’s arguments?
Because He’s snarky and sarcastic and sassy?
No.
Because He’s lowly and humble.
As I've said before, Jesus reserved His harsh criticism for the judgmental legalists only. With the lost, the sinners, the prisoners, the prostitutes, the ones with a different worldview, the ones who didn’t know the one true God, the ones who differed politically - with those He was humble and lowly, loving and kind, gentle and merciful.
If the people you are shouting at, deriding, or being sarcastic and snappy about online are the very people Jesus was humble and lowly with, there’s a problem.
We are called to better than that. We are called to inspire others to follow Christ by sharing His love with them, introducing them to His kindness and mercy, His gentleness and His grace - the very things Paul said actually inspire repentance.
That kind of Christlike behavior will be far more fruitful than the biting earthly “wisdom” that is not from above.
After all - gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. Sarcasm is anything but.
Rebekah, This> "If the people you are shouting at, deriding, or being sarcastic and snappy about online are the very people Jesus was humble and lowly with, there’s a problem." Is such a true statement. I hear so many people doing that. I don't because I often think to myself and have said to people that I don't believe anyone is too far gone for Christ to reach, saying that is the exact opposite of what Jesus came to do.
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