During the last three weeks we have been studying Jesus’ sermon on the Mount. We saw that in each of the nine beatitudes, Jesus starts out using the word “Blessed”, which means “happy” or “fortunate” or “spiritually prosperous”. With this understanding of the word “Blessed”, can you truthfully say that you are “Blessed”? If so, what would be your top three reasons you can give that would best explain how you are blessed in your relationship with Christ? On the other hand, if you really do not feel you are blessed, what three reasons would you give that would best explain why you believe this is so?
As we studied about the first two beatitudes in, Matthew 5:3-4, 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. We saw that both have to do with understanding our spiritual position before God. Being “poor in spirit” is a humble understanding and attitude about ourselves concerning where we stand with God. It has the implication of an “economic component”, which means we understand that we are spiritually bankrupt without God. And “those who mourn” “…are not necessarily people in bereavement, but those who experience the sorrow of repentance.” We studied that to mourn has to do with our attitude towards sin, “We mourn over sin in our lives”. It also has to do with our repentance and a contrite heart in relation to sin.
The different personal characteristics and attitudes that Jesus is teaching about, in our secular society today are discouraged to be displayed or even considered indications of a psychologically weak and instable person. This is the challenge that all Christians need to realize. We all must decide if we are to intentionally seek to cultivate each of the nine characteristics of the beatitudes in our lives and in our relationship with Christ, or avoid them because we are concerned that others might perceive us as weak and naïve.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
The secular definition of “meek” is, quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive. Also, “…a person who is willing to go along with whatever other people want to do…”
These definitions are not what Jesus meant when He stated that we should be meek. When reading our Bibles, we always need to be careful because today’s definitions and use of words, many times they are different from what they mean in the Bible and specifically in this verse to what Jesus meant about being meek. To gain a better Biblical understanding of the word meek, almost all Greek Biblical word studies and commentaries use the noun meekness to best explain its Biblical meaning and use.
First of all, we need to understand what meekness is not. Vine says, “meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest; it is equanimity of spirit that is neither elated nor cast down, simply because it is not occupied with self at all.” Equanimity is a word that most of us have probably have never used in a conversation in our lives. Equanimity is “mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.”
Another good explanation of what meekness is not, which is contrary to our culture’s definition of the word, is given in Spirit Filled Life Bible For Students; “although greatly misunderstood even within the church, it does not talk about being a wimp. Rather, it emphasizes that humility or reliance upon God is the foundation of power.” The Spirit Filled Life Study Bible says the following about a Christian being meek. “Meek does not connote weakness, but rather controlled strength. The word carries the ideas of humility and self-discipline.”
So, when we read that Jesus is telling us we are “Blessed” or “happy” or “fortunate” or “spiritually prosperous” when we are meek or displaying meekness in our character, it is not because we are exhibiting weakness or lack of courage or “being a wimp”. Jesus is teaching us that being meek is quite the opposite and it is a virtue of our character.
This word translated “meek” was used by the Greeks to describe a horse which was once wild that had been broken and has become obedient to the bit, bridle and rider. Being meek refers to power under control. The Hayford Bible Handbook says. “It is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness.”
In 2 Samuel 16:5-14 we see an instance of being meek that displayed power under control. This occurred when a member of Saul’s family named Shimei cursed and pelted King David and his officials with stones and he even threw dirt on them, but David, the King of Israel, the mighty warrior who could himself have retaliated and or easily gave the order to cut off Shimei’s head, chose not to do anything.
5 As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the same clan as Saul’s family came out from there. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and he cursed as he came out. 6 He pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. 7 As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel! 8 The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a man of blood!”
9 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.”
10 But the king said, “What do you and I have in common, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why do you do this?'”
11 David then said to Abishai and all his officials, “My son, who is of my own flesh, is trying to take my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.”
13 So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt. 14 The king and all the people with him arrived at their destination exhausted. And there he refreshed himself.
Another very good example of demonstrating meekness was on the night Jesus was arrested; we see this in Matthew 26:47-54. John in his gospel tells us it was Peter who reacted in a way that many of us probably would, he reacted without meekness. John 18:10, Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) However, Matthew tells very clearly how Jesus demonstrated meekness or “power under control” but he also tells us what Jesus could have done but chose not to, we see this in verse fifty-three.
Matthew 26:50b-54, 50b Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
Hayford’s Bible Handbook gives us a very good definition of the character of meekness that we should strive to develop in our lives as believers in Christ. This is so very important in a world filled with anger and hate that is demonstrated in many persons with hate and violence.
“MEEKNESS—an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward people, springing from a recognition that God is sovereign Creator and in control. But meekness is due to a person’s conscious choice.”
The character of meekness in a believer’s life is manifested in various aspects in the fruit of the Spirit that all Christians should have. Recognizing examples from your own relationship with Christ which you personally experienced, how many fruit (not fruits) of the spirit can you identify as a virtue of meekness in your life? Galatians 5:22-23, 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
As we learn from the definitions given of what it is to be meek and realize what does that look like in our lives, we will also learn through experience of how to be meek and or how meekness will apply to our relationship with Christ; even while living in a society that considers meekness as weakness and which is something being less exemplified as an accepted expression.
“…for they will inherit the earth.”
Jesus tells us that reward for being meek is an inheritance. Some commentators say that the inheritance we will receive that Jesus talks about, is in the future. We see this stated in 1 Peter 1:3-5. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Other commentators do not mention when we as believers, followers and disciples of Christ will experience this inheritance that Jesus speaks of in Matthew 5:5.
When we will receive this inheritance and what aspects we receive of this inheritance, is up to God. However, as believers in Christ there are many aspects of our inheritance that we experience in the present because of our relationship with Jesus. It is important that we should be able to identify those times in the past and present when as a result of being meek, we have been blessed with the many aspects of our inheritance that Jesus told us we would receive.
By being meek, we put ourselves in a position to receive this inheritance. Without meekness in our lives, we would not be eligible or have the qualifications to experience this many aspects of our inheritance.
The apostle Paul in his prayer for the congregation in the city of Colosse mentions the experiencing of our inheritance now, while we are waiting for Christ to return, we enjoy our share of the spiritual inheritance that we have in Him. Colossians 1:10-12, 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Paul also praying for the Ephesian Christians tells us that we would come to know (by experience) about our inheritance. Ephesians 1:18-19, 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
What actions can we intentionally take to develop the character of being meek in our lives? But also, to do so we must seek and ask God to show us what are the hindrances in our lives that would prevent us from being meek.
Pastor John
