A Study in the Beatitudes: Exuding Christ's Character (Part 3-meek)
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Meek (praÿs) means gentleness.
Inherit (klēronomeō) means to be an heir to.
*Greek words in parenthesis
"...Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will". (Blueletterbible)
In order to grasp the understanding of what the word meekness embodies I'm drawn to Jesus's example. Jesus, Himself, said:
"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 11:29)
One week before Jesus' crucifixion, He rode into Jerusalem on a colt.
One week before He was falsely accused-
One week before He was whipped, mocked, and given a crown of thorns-
One week before He was hung on a criminals cross-
One week before He, the Rescuer of all mankind, sacrificed His life;
One week before EVERYTHING FOREVER CHANGED...
Jesus entered on a small, young donkey.
He was not seated high on a regal horse or atop a glistening chariot.
Matthew 21:7 says:
"Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey.."
Hours before Jesus was crucified, He was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying.
"My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)
Jesus knew the death He would suffer and hours before, He submits-
Hours before He chooses trust-
He cares more for His Father's will than His own.
When Jesus was done praying, He got up, woke up His disciples, and began speaking to them.
"While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him."
(Luke 22:47-51)
Jesus had the power to stop the crowd from arresting Him. He could have called out to His Heavenly Father and had twelve legions of angels at His side.
But He didn't...
Instead, He heals the ear of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, who comes to arrest Him.
He. HEALS. hours before He is wounded and brutally killed.
Jesus did not take on the form of an earthly king, even though He is the Highest King.
Jesus' purpose was not rooted in earthly kingdoms, it was rooted in God's kingdom.
Jesus' triumphant victory over Satan, sin, and death was won through meekness, humility, compassion, and servant hood.
Jesus loved the outcast and the Pharisee. He taught the rejected and the religious. He saw past the exterior to the heart and offered Himself, the Truth, to all men and women.
He did not trample on people and claw His way to the top.
He did not seek earthly recognition or earthly power.
His desire was to do the will of His heavenly Father, the One who sent Him.
Jesus trusted in God the Father's goodness and in His rescue plan for all of mankind.
Jesus was about His Father's business.
Jesus is teaching us that we don't need to fight our way through this life by trampling over others or playing king of the mountain in all of life's arenas. We don't need to fight for a position of power and recognition. We don't need to stake our claim and make sure we get a hearty slice of the pie.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be meek. We are called to follow Christ's example to serve rather than self-promote. When we are about our Heavenly Father's business, our heart's desire is to represent His character. We are called to show His compassion for the souls of men by humbly serving others and lovingly speaking Truth into their lives.
Jesus promised that the meek will inherit the earth. They will be heirs with Him. Only the King above all kings can make that promise. The earth is His alone to give. As followers of Christ, we can rest assured that our inheritance is secure in Christ. We live for the eternal not the temporary.
This frees us to lay down our arms to claim our stake in this life, and instead, live as meek children of God who serve and love others.
This frees us to adore the One who is sovereign over all things and all things exist by Him; the One who defeated the darkness and set us free from the bondage of sin.
He is our gracious King!
Our promised inheritance is dwelling in a heaven and earth free of destruction, death, sin, suffering, and sickness in the presence of our King forever and ever;
In the presence of the greatest Victor on earth and in Heaven;
With Jesus, the One who triumphed over sin and death;
Our greatest example of meekness...
"But according to his promise we are
waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13)
Blessings,
Amy
