An Ode to the Fiercely Gentle of Heart

The hands of the weak are strong. Photo by my mother, Patrushka

There's a scene at the beginning of the book of Matthew in the Bible where Jesus' cousin, John "the Baptizer" is attracting a LOT of national attention for his bold words, actions, and behaviors that are very very prophet-like. There haven't been any prophets speaking for God in hundreds of years so everyone is very excited and going out to the wilderness to see him. He's calling for repentance from living for self, and baptizing willing people in the river as a sign that they have turned toward God and the old self-is-number-one life is washed away.

Then, the established local religious bigwigs start coming out to see him and try to get baptized. John takes one look at them and oh boy he SEES them, CLEARLY. He is not afraid to say it like it is: "You brood of vipers! ...prove your repentance by the fruit that it bears!" These guys haven't got any of the kind of fruit John is looking for. No baptism for you, boys. Not today.

If we zip over to the book of Luke we can find out what kind of fruit John is looking for because Luke describes what kind of conversations he had with people who actually truly wanted to know what the "fruit of repentance" looked like:

"The people asked him, "Then what are we to do?" He replied, "The man with two shirts must share with him who has none, and anyone who has food must do the same." Among those who came to be baptized were tax-gatherers, and they said to him, "Master, what are we to do?" He told them, "exact no more than the assessment." Soldiers on service also asked him, "And what of us?" To them he said, "No bullying; no blackmail; make do with your pay!"

Not long after this, Jesus begins his ministry and gives his first big chunk of teaching about what God is looking for in humans.

"How blessed are those who know their need of God; the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

How blessed are the sorrowful, they shall find consolation.

How blessed are those of gentle spirit; they shall have the earth for their possession.

How blessed are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they shall be satisfied.

How blest are those who show mercy; mercy shall be shown to them.

How blessed are those whose hearts are pure; they shall see God.

How blessed are the peacemakers; God shall call them his sons.

How blessed are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of right; the kingdom is theirs.

How blessed you are, when you suffer insults and persecution and every kind of calumny (slander) for my sake. Accept it with gladness and exultation, for you have a rich reward in heaven; in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you."

This world is dominated right now by people in power who live by the belief that might makes right and it always will and there's no use trying to think it could be any other way. It gets worse every day, as bullies with a fiery desire for instant obedience, deference, and respect are given guns and applauded by their superiors when they use them to kill anyone who objects to their demands.

But, I have hope. Because there are more of us who want what Jesus said he is looking for in humans than those who scoff and rage and glory right now in the power they have been given to commit violence on other humans. I see you, friends, even if you do not call yourself a Jesus-follower. I know the difference between a person whose heart is filled with anger and hatred and violence and a person who has a gentle spirit. I love you, people who hunger and thirst to see right prevail, who show mercy even to those who are hating on them and slandering them, who are filled with sorrow when they see evil in themselves and take accountability for it and do not want to let it grow and distort and twist them. You do not need to have the label "Christian" on you for me to see that in you and adore you.

The reason (okay, one of many!) I follow Jesus forever and ever is because I am so, so deeply attracted to his character- one that is so deeply loving and consistent and merciful to anyone who has a yearning heart for what is good. He is the embodiment and fullest expression of all the things I love the most and have a raging hunger for. A life of complete non-violence, no "lording it over others," no bullying, no grabbing women because he could, no taking whatever he wanted. A life so completely antithetical to the way power works in this world that the world-power executed him without him raising a shred of resistance... and then he showed them that even execution could not stop Him and the life to the fullest that He brings. Peace, non-violence, love, humilty, gentleness and joy showed that they are greater than all the power and weapons in the world.

Anyone, anywhere, who shows that core belief radiating out of their heart- you are my beloved, no matter what name or label you have for yourself. And I see more and more of you rising up and showing yourselves every day- so, TAKE HEART! Love WILL overcome.