The Gentle Way

J

udo is Japanese meaning the “GentleWay.” It is a martial art that involves no kicking, punching, or striking. It uses the opponent’s own weight and energy to defeat him. Jesus taught us the Gentle Way. Turning the other cheek requires an enormous about of grace, faith, and discipline. It’s the Way of the cross. Jesus, standing like a sheep before his shearers and opening not his mouth, was miraculous. Being driven out of his own Assembly by the elders in Nazareth (in Luke 4) and not calling down fire from Heaven was a wonder. The natural Way, the worldly Way is to counter punch with words, and meet anger with more anger, fire with fire. Jesus said, “narrow is the way, and few there be that find it.” When Jim Eliot and his fellow missionaries were preparing to bring the Gospel to the lost in the jungles of Ecuador, they had to make an important decision.  Should they bring guns? After a brief discussion, they decided against it. They said, “We are ready to die, but the unsaved Huaoranis, who did not know Christ, were not ready.” They decided to take the risk. In her book “Through the Gates of Splendor,” Elizabeth Elliot tells the tale of martyrdom. Many of the Huaoranis came to faith in Christ and will see Jim standing next to Jesus in Heaven and thank them both for grace. Even David (the man of war) who learned many things the hard way, wrote of God, “Thy gentleness hath made me great.” In this age of flash mobs, riots, social media, and madness, where a “like” or a “post” can make a career toast, may I remember all that Jesus gave, and may that reminder help make me brave. May my love for God and all the lost (left or right) be the force that keeps me on the straight and narrow. May I remember that “liking” (on Twitter or Facebook) what Jesus said is no substitute for being “like” Him. In that regard, “Help my Lord,”  I have a long way to go. -id