Blessed are the Meek

Reading: Matthew 5:5, Matthew 21:1-5,

"Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth." 

Matthew 5:5

Blessed are the Meek:

What is meek? Does it mean weakness? Does it characterize a weak person? Or is it a character trait that is expressed in our dear Jesus? Is it also a character trait that is abiding in us as His followers? Let's seek out that blessing as we search the meaning and depth of this beautiful word. We will also journey through a some verses where it is used.

Before I understood the true meaning of meek, I thought it was weakness. However, meek does not suggest weakness. Rather it is controlled strength. That strength brings a confidence with humility and self control. Meekness is an important part of our character. When Jesus included this word in His Sermon on the Mount it was a trait He wanted us to have. The very foundation of all of these Beatitudes are actually Jesus' own nature, His innate character. These character traits are the life qualities He desires for us to rise to.  So let's dig in a little deeper. 

The Triumphal Entry 

In Jesus' last week of life, He drew near to Jerusalem. The Jewish people longed for Messiah to come in power and majesty. They had heard about the miracles He had done... He must be The One... their Messiah. They envisioned Him coming down from the Mount of Olives and ride into Jerusalem on a majestic horse to rescue them from Roman occupation and tyranny. But that is not what Jesus' decent from the Mount of Olives was meant to be. Rather a humble entry... Him riding on the foal young donkey, as seen in Zechariah's prophesy from long ago. In their hopes and longing for Messiah, they did not recognize Him, their Savior!!! Even though Zechariah's prophesied this very thing. (We will see more on this during Passion Week)

"Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming to you,  

Lowly, and sitting on a donkey." 

Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21: 5

Meek is also translated as lowly. Here is the definition from the Strong's Concordance. It is a great word describing Jesus' character.

Lowly, praus (prah-ooce) Strongs #4235 & #4239 A humility that is considerate, unassuming, gentle, mild, meek. The Zealots were looking for a warlike Messiah who would use force. Jesus showed a greater power than armed might, rather the power of humble wisdom and penetrating love. Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control. 

Wow, what an incredible word... better yet what an incredible Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ!!! 

Here is another verse where Jesus used the word, Lowly:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls..." Matthew 11:28, 29

I love this verse. It speaks right into our hearts... hearts longing for rest in the busy culture we live in. When we are overwhelmed, He calls us to come to Him... to seek His rest. 

 "Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth."

 For they shall inherit the earth:

What does this mean, to inherit the earth? And why would the meek inherit the earth? How could this happen in today's world that we live in? Many powerful, arrogant people are controlling the earth. How could this be that the meek shall inherit the earth? I believe that this lies in the mystery of God's plans into the future. There is a verse in 2 Peter that comes to mind:

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away... Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness...?  

"Nevertheless  we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."  2 Peter 3:10-13

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught His disciples, (us too) how to pray:

This is our hope and prayer even now:

"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your Name. 

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven... 

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen"  

Matthew 6:9-13

Yes, the meek will inherit the earth in the future. Though, this is now as we look forward to the day that the Lord will come. We look forward to Him coming soon as we live in difficult times. While we watch for the new heavens and new earth where true righteousness dwells, in the meantime, it is our time now on earth to live in the strength of meekness... to be filled with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the power of humble wisdom, and penetrating love. Let's follow Jesus and to reach out to others to come into His Kingdom.

Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control.

Humble to Rise

Reading: James 4:1-10, 1 Peter 5:5-7, Psalm 37.

This is our final post on the Beatitude, Meekness. These first three beatitudes relate together. They reflect the beginning stages of both true conversion and growth in the Spirit of God. When you or I catch a glimpse of how amazing God is and where we stand in comparison, suddenly a realization takes place, deep in our heart... He is God and I am not!!! We realize our need for Him, for you see apart from Him we can do nothing of lasting value! This is what it is to be poor in spirit and is the entry point into the Kingdom of heaven.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit 

(realize their need for God. NLT)

For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 

Matt. 5:3 NKJ

When you truly see your own sin and need for God, you will experience the important godly sorrow of mourning. "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted... just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness... what desire, zeal, vindication, you have done everything necessary to make things right"  2 Corinthians 7:10, 11 NKJ/NLT  This is the kind of sorrow necessary for true repentance and conversion. With this godly sorrow, comes the comfort of the comforter, the Holy Spirit of God.  

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." 

Matthew 5:4 NKJ

Once a person has seen their need for God and mourned over their sin and the lost opportunity of what might have been; a meekness and humility may emerge. Meekness and humility are not weakness but power under perfect control. A person moving in this beatitude, fully trusting God and not his own strength will be blessed by God.

What is the Blessing of Meekness?

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." 

Matthew 5: 5 NKJ

"... the meek shall inherit the earth, 

and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." 

Psalm 37:11 NKJ

When you get a chance, read all of Psalm 37 and you will see what meekness looks like in a very practical way. You will also see the blessing of Meekness in the lives of those who completely trust in God.

Exalted Humility

Reading: Matt. 5:5, Philippians 2:1-13,

"Blessed are the Meek.." 

Matt. 5:5

As we looked to Jesus in the last post to consider what the attitude of meekness looks like in a person; we saw Him becoming a servant and washing the disciples feet. Jesus even says of Himself,

"For I am meek and lowly, (humble) in heart." 

Matt. 11:29

In Jesus' life on this earth He demonstrated greater power than a political leader. He moved in the power of humble wisdom and penetrating love. Today we will look at powerful verses speaking of this humility and love. The apostle Paul calls us to have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

The Master Serves

Reading: Matt. 5:5 John 13:1-17, Matt. 5:43-48

"Blessed are the Meek..." 

Matt. 5:5

As we have been looking at the beatitudes, we have talked about the Meekness of Jesus, our Messiah. He is the one we look to. Our hope should is to be found in His image. Yes found in His image, transformed from our flawed human nature to His glorious nature.  In our reading today lets look on at Jesus' last meal with His disciples. He knew this was His last time with them, so everything He says and does is full of meaning for them and us, who love Him today. In this private evening with them, He demonstrated His meekness in a very powerful way.

"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. The evening meal was being served... Jesus... got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.

When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord,and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will blessed if you do them.'" John 13:1-17 NIV

Greatness is Serving

Reading: Matt. 20:20-28, John 13:1-17

The mother of James and John came to Jesus and asked Him if her two sons may sit next to Him in His Kingdom, with one son on His left and and the other on His right. She was seeking power for her sons. She did not realize what she was asking and neither did James and John. The other ten were very upset with them. So Jesus called them to Himself and explained: "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. 

"...whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant...
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many."
Matt. 20:26-28 NLT/ NKJ"

Meekness of Messiah

Reading: Matt. 5:5, Matt. 21:5, Zech 9:9, James 3:13-18

James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum

As we continue in our series of the beatitudes we look again today at meekness. In our last post we looked at the blessing of meekness and what meekness is. Though many think of meek as weak, in the Bible it is power under perfect control. What does that look like in a persons life? The best example I know of is our beautiful Messiah, Jesus. Today we will look at him, coming into Jerusalem as King and what His glorious nature is like.

"Blessed are the meek..."
Matt. 5:5 NKJ
 

"Tell the daughter of Zion,
'Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey...'"
Matt. 21:5 NKJ

Jesus fulfilled the prophecy from Zechariah 9:9

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, Your King is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey..."
Zechariah 9:9 NKJ

The word for "lowly" is the same Greek word "praus" for meek as found in the beatitude "Blessed are the Meek". Lowly: praus Strongs #4235 and #4239 mild, humble, meek and gentle.

The Blessing of Meekness

Reading: Matt 5:5, Psalm 37,

"Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth."
Matt 5:5 NKJ

This is our next beatitude, Blessed are the Meek. What is meekness? Why are the meek blessed with inheriting the earth? Look at Psalm 37 to give you a picture of the blessing of meekness.

"Trust in the Lord, and do good. Commit everything you do to the Lord, trust Him, and He will help you. Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act. Stop being angry!.. Do not lose your temper it only leads to harm. NLT

But those who wait on the Lord... shall inherit the earth... But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace... The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever... For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, but those cursed by Him shall be cut off... The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever." Ps. 37:3-18  NKJ

This Psalm describes the unrighteous person and the kind of thinking that is easy to slip into when we lose sight of God. If we see evil people doing really well we may have the tendency to envy them and worry. The meek person totally trusts God and rests in His will to happen at the right time. If we are meek before God, we are not angry at what seems to be unfair to us. Worry and anger comes when don't get what we want. But if we trust God for our life, we will live with inner strength and peace. We trust God because we know that life in this age is not the end of the story.