Journal entry February 20, 2026

Then He said to the man,"Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored, just like the other one! Then the Pharisees called a meeting to plot how to kill Jesus. Matthew 12:13-14

Following this Jesus knew what they were planning so He left that area, and many people followed Him. He healed all the sick among them.

Heavenly Father I love the description that Isaiah gave about the coming Messiah. He said I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise His voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will cause justice to be victorious. And His name will be the hope of all the world.

One who was so gentle and kind. Who healed all the sick among them. And yet a special meeting was called to plot how to kill Him. What really strikes me is that these men represented the nature within all men. We all have our comfort zones and when our peace and our comfort is threatened, our immediate thought is to eliminate the threat.

I often wonder, would I have been one who picked up a stone to cast at You Lord. If I by birthright or other means was one of the religious elite, would have I been any different?

Lord you have put Your Spirit within me. Called me to proclaim justice. Oh how I aspire to have the gentleness of Jesus who did not fight or shout or raise His voice in public. To walk so softly as to not crush the weakest reed. To be so profoundly gentle and compassionate that I would be patient with the weak, brokenhearted and discouraged of this world. That I would nurture, strengthen and restore them. AMEN. AMEN.