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.
Lowly is 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, the power of humble wisdom and penetrating love. Meekness is not weakness, but power under perfect control. Word Wealth New Spirit Filled Life Bible Matt. 21:5

Don't you love this description of Jesus? ... humble wisdom... penetrating love... not weak, but having power under perfect control! What an amazing quality to have. How do we enter into this kind of strength? His meekness is His nature and we have access to this beautiful, strong winsome quality when we behold Him and allow His Spirit to transform our self centered nature to His glorious nature. (See 2 Corinthians 3:18)

Humble wisdom is: 

"Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show by good conduct that his works
are done in the meekness of wisdom."
James 3:13 NKJ

Humble wisdom is not:

"But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart,
don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying.
For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom.
Such things are earthly, unspiritual and demonic.
For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition,
there you will find disorder and evil of every kind."
James 3:14-16 NLT

What does this godly, humble wisdom look like? 

"But the wisdom from above is first pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, 

and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. 

It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace 

and reap a harvest of righteousness." 

James 3:17,18 NLT

Jesus invites us to come to Him. In this verse He gives us His own description of His nature.

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and are carry heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because
for I am humble (meek) and gentle (lowly) at heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light."
Matt. 11:28-30 NLT

Beautiful Jesus, in His humble wisdom, knows what we experience as human beings. He came from the glory of heaven to walk among us... not a glorious king in a castle far away, but as close as your own heart. He stands at the door of your heart an knocks. He desires to come in and share a meal as friends. (Rev. 3:20) Rather than a wealthy king, Jesus was a humble man who moved among the poorest of the poor with compassion for their weary lives. Are you weary? Do you carry heavy burdens? Answer His call.  

Come to His meek humble heart and rest in His beautiful presence. 

In this place you will find peace.