Gentleness is a God-like quality and was strongly evident in the life of Jesus Christ. He gathered children about Him, allowing them to sit on His knee and taking time to converse with them. When the disciples sought to dismiss them as a nuisance, Jesus rebuked them. He often demonstrated the character traits of meekness and gentleness, showing firmness yet tenderness in His interactions. Jesus had massive strength at His disposal, but He restrained His use of power, knowing He must die to bring salvation to the weak. He put aside the strength of a king and, in meekness, not weakness, demonstrated the kind of King He is—not a domineering tyrant, but a meek and gentle King, although supremely powerful. He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, presenting the image of a truly meek and gentle leader, teacher, and King. Even when He knew Peter would deny Him and Judas would betray Him, Jesus did not rise in angry protest; His gentle nature restrained Him. He commanded that we love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and subdue our harsh nature with gentleness. From the cross, He prayed that His heavenly Father would forgive those who crucified Him, exemplifying meekness and gentleness even in the face of immense suffering. Defiant toward the religious establishment in defending the helpless and diseased, as well as opposing evil, Jesus was self-effacing in regard to His own interests. With all this gentleness, He was masculine and firm. When confronted by those seeking to entrap or destroy Him, He stood fearless, His gentle nature temporarily masked as He demonstrated a strength that struck fear into the hearts of those who heard Him. His gentleness was not a mere contemplative virtue; it was maintaining peace and patience in the midst of pelting provocations. When His disciples, James and John, wanted to destroy a Samaritan village for refusing them lodging, Jesus was repulsed by their attitudes. He turned and rebuked them, reminding them that the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. This account emphasizes that we are to be predominantly gentle Christians, just as our Savior, Jesus Christ, was gentle, balancing firmness and steadfastness in the truth. Jesus Himself characterized His nature as gentle and lowly in heart, setting the supreme example of meekness and gentleness. His life, as foretold by Isaiah, shows that He deals with us with the utmost tenderness and gentleness, providing a model for how we should interact with others.