THE BEATITUDES (4)

Blessed Are the Meek

Matthew 5:5

Victor M. Eskew

 

          Jesus began the beatitudes with two somewhat distressing statements.  He said:  “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”  These individuals must see the desolate and helpless condition of their souls.  This is not an enjoyable realization.  Too, He said:  “Blessed are they that mourn.”  Again, no one enjoys sorrowing.  However, all sinners would do well to sorrow for their sins.  Remember, promises were attached to both of these beatitudes.  Those who are poor in spirit would obtain the kingdom of God, and those who mourned would be comforted.

          These blessings are not provided unconditionally.  Comfort from the slavery of sin and entrance into the kingdom of God have stipulations attached to them.  These conditions come from the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Not all, however, will adhere to the stipulations.  It requires a meek individual to submit to the demands of an authority.  Thus, the third beatitude of the Christ states:  “Blessed are the meek:  for they shall inherit the earth.”

          The word “meek” is difficult for many individuals to define.  It is closely associated with humility (Col. 3:12) and lowliness (Eph. 4:2), but meekness is not to be confused with those two qualities.  It stands alone as a trait one should manifest.  One definition of meekness is “gentleness.”  Jesus cradling a small child is a picture of meekness.  Another definition of meekness is “strength under control.”  A tamed horse illustrates this definition.  The horse of strong and powerful, but it is easily controlled by the bridle and reins.  This writer prefers this definition of meekness:  “one who is willing to submit to the authority of another.” 

          Let’s look at the progression of the beatitudes.  First, a person understands that he is a sinner before God.  Second, he mourns over this horrible condition.  Third, God reveals to him that he can be comforted if he will submit to God’s plan to cleanse his iniquities.  God’s plan has certain steps to be completed by the sinner.  Now, the sinner must make a decision.  Will he resist God’s plan because of a proud heart?  Or, will he submit to God’s plan because he is a meek individual?  Meekness will cause him to ask:  “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6).  Meekness will yield to the Lord’s demands once they are made known (Acts 9:6-8). 

          There are two men in Scripture who are declared to be meek individuals.  One of these men is Moses.  In Numbers 12:3, this description is given of the lawgiver.  “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the earth.)”  Moses was certainly a man who submitted to the authority of God.  He delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage as the behest of God.  Too, he led the rebellious nation through the wilderness for forty years under the authority of the Jehovah.  Only once do we ever read of his disobedience to God. 

          The second man is named Jesus.  In Matthew 11:29, Jesus describes His heart with two qualities.  “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”  Jesus’ earthly life and ministry were spent in submission to His heavenly Father.  His early years involved submission to God.  “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).  He began His earthly ministry complying with God’s righteousness.  “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordon unto John, to be baptized of him.  But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now:  for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.  Then he suffered him” (Matt. 3:13-15).  Throughout the three years of His labors on earth, he was obedient to God.  In John 6:38, we have these words of Jesus:  “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”  Then, in John 8:29, we find these words of the Christ:  “…for I do always those things that please him.”  Finally, Jesus manifested perfect obedience to the Father’s will in His death.  Calvary was not an easy event for Jesus to experience.  He entered into the Garden of Gethsemane the night before with much sorrow.  This pain drove Him to the throne of God.  “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me:  nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matt. 26:39).  Yes, even when Jesus confronted the most difficult circumstance, He was meek, ready to completely align Himself with the Father’s will.  Jesus is the ultimate picture of what meekness involves.

          Do you possess meekness?  Does your life revolve around humility and lowliness?  Are you a gentle individual?  Do you manifest strength under control?  Are you a person who is willing to submit to authority?  Can you compare your life to that of Moses, the meekest man upon the earth in his day.  Do you follow the example of Christ who did His Father’s will in all things?  If so, you have a promise given to you from the Lord.  “Blessed are the meek:  for they shall inherit the earth.”

          This promise Jesus gives to the meek is one of the most difficult to interpret.  Some have taught that Jesus has reference to a life on a renovated earth following His Second Coming.  All of the promises of the beatitudes except the last one seem to be more immediate than that.  Meek people inherit the earth.  They inherit the blessings found within the earth.  Their meekness brings them acceptance, favor, success, promotions, wealth, forgiveness, and a host of other blessings both from God and man.  The opposite of meekness is stubbornness, selfishness, and rebellion.  These things only bring difficulty, strife, and warfare to one’s life.  Which do you prefer?  To inherit the earth?  or, to have the earth reject and condemn you?  Your answer is determined by the meekness, or the lack thereof, you display in your life.