In His sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes,) the Lord Jesus Christ said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
Who are the meek? The meek are those who are blessed, filled with humility and happy under all circumstances. Being humble and gentle towards others. Having power under control.
Jesus was meek. He said. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls“ (Matthew 11:29).
Moses was also meek. Numbers 12:3 says, “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.”
The Lord Jesus is the Christian’s greatest example of meekness. The Bible says “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled He did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten” (1 Peter 2:22,23). No one will ever suffer to the extent Jesus did. Bearing in mind he had no sin of His own, though He was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Jesus was condemned unjustly. He was silent and uncomplaining even when the charges against Him were completely false. The Scripture says, “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
To suffer all this and not retaliate even in the slightest way is true meekness. And this should inspire us to be meek in ourselves, giving glory to God for such a Redeemer is ours.
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned” (Romans 12:3).
Christians should exhibit meekness, especially as Christ is our best and greatest example, and submitting to the perfect will and purposes of God without resistance. Jesus said “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me” (Matthew 11:6). A superiority complex should not characterize God’s people.
David in Psalm 37 states, “The meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” (v. 11). Then verses 5-8 seem to lay out a portrait of the meek who commits his way to the Lord, trusting in Him so as to refrain from anger, forsake wrath and doesn’t worry himself to do evil.
Some hold the belief that meekness is weakness. Meekness is NOT weakness. Meekness is strength and power under control. A meek Christian is fully committed to Christ and desires lasting peace and satisfaction in life. The Lord Jesus as by no means weak in any way.
The meek loves his enemies and demonstrates love in word and very practical ways. This cannot be accomplished in our own strength. It will only be accomplished when we allow the Lord to love others through us, even our enemies, and those who hate us.
Jesus tells us how to react to those who treat us negatively. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them” (Luke 6:27-31). Some may be saying “is this for real?” Admittedly, we can’t do all these in our own strength. We need the Holy Spirit to do this through us.
The meek “shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). Here is William MacDonald’s perceptive commentary on this Beatitude: “A third blessing is pronounced on the meek: they shall inherit the earth. By nature these people might be volatile, temperamental, and gruff. But by purposefully taking Christ’s spirit on them, they become meek or gentle (compare Matthew 11:29). Meekness implies acceptance of one’s lowly position. The meek person is gentle and mild in his own cause, though he may be a lion in God’s cause or in defending others.
“The meek do not now inherit the earth; rather they inherit abuse and dispossession. But they will literally inherit the earth when Christ the King, reigns for a thousand years in peace and prosperity.” (Believer’s Bible Commentary p. 1216).
MacDonald points out “meekness implies acceptance of one’s lowly position.” And the Scripture says, “The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 29:19).
Isn’t wonderful to know there is fresh joy in the LORD who is meek and lowly in heart. Let us respond. Please grant it, Lord Jesus.” Amen.