阅读经文 

在《马太福音》五章3至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，祂将百姓从罪的捆绑中释放出来。随后，祂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。这一切都是祂为我们而做的事，祂应许把崭新的、永远丰盛的生命品质赐给凡相信祂的人。

有些时候，我们需要使用权力来维护公义。而另一些时候，以温和的态度来服侍却是更好的选择。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。

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.