Getting to Know Jesus: The Power of Restraint

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 4:14–16 Matthew 26:38–39

From the beginning of His public ministry until His death on the cross, Jesus was the object of His enemies’ testing and taunting. He could have silenced them instantly by using His authority as the Son of God and calling upon His Father to display power through signs and wonders. But He refused to act outside of His Father’s will.

Philip Yancey in The Jesus I Never Knew describes Jesus’ “refusal to perform and overwhelm” as astonishing. He notes, “God’s terrible insistence on human freedom is so absolute that he granted us the power to live as though he did not exist, to spit in his face, to crucify him” (p. 78). Again and again, Jesus demonstrated this pattern of restraint.

Restraint in Meeting His Own Needs

Jesus refused to call upon God’s divine power to meet His human needs, such as hunger, when doing so would contradict the Father’s plans and purposes. (Matthew 4:1-4, Mark 1:11). He exercised restraint even amid raw, physical need.

Restraint In Performing Signs on Demand

Crowds demanded signs to prove His authority, but Jesus refused to give signs or perform miracles for entertainment or to satisfy unbelief (Luke 11:16, Luke 11:29-30, Matthew 16:1-4). Scripture reminds us that God performs miracles according to His will, not according to a person’s wants or demands (Hebrews 2:4). Jesus was aware of this and chose to exercise restraint.

Restraint in Saving Himself

Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers (Édouard Manet, 1865)During His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, one of his followers tried to defend Him with a sword. In response, Jesus reminded them that all He had to do was ask His Father, and His Father would instantly send thousands of angels to assist (Matthew 26:52-54). But He restrained Himself and submitted to the Father’s plan.

On the cross, insults were hurled at Him: “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God” and “Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him” (Matthew 27:39–44). Yet, because it was not His Father’s will, Jesus did not resist arrest or prevent His death.

Restraint as an Expression of Love

Jesus was the ultimate example of submitting entirely to the Father’s will. He could have given in to His enemies’ cajoling and coaxing. He could have easily met their demands and silenced their taunts. He could have called down fire from heaven, destroyed His opponents, and forced belief through power. But He did not.

Instead, He exercised restraint and chose the way of love. Yancey observes: “Although power can force obedience, only love can summon a response of love, which is the one thing God wants from us and the reason he created us (p. 78).

Jesus did not overwhelm the world with power; He overwhelmed the world with love. 

Questions for Reflection

  • When you are tested or taunted, how can you practice restraint as Jesus did?

  • Jesus always aligned His actions with the will of His Father. In what ways can you more closely align yourself with God’s will?

  • How can you be sure that your choices flow from obedience to the Father rather than from self-interest?

Prayer Focus

Jesus, thank You that You chose restraint on earth and continue to show that same patience from heaven. Thank You for setting an example of self-control and submission to the Father’s will. Help me rely on Your love and Spirit when I feel provoked, so that my response reflects You. Thank You for overwhelming me not with fear, but with love. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Series Navigation

Previous in the Series:

Getting to Know Jesus: Hard Things He Said

Next in the Series:

Getting to Know Jesus: Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness

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