The Beatitudes Series #3

"Blessed Are The Meek"
Matthew 5:5

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." As I continue with the series on "Steps Toward Happiness," I want to look today at the third beatitude, one that is a real surprise because it is so completely and entirely contrary to what we see in life. Who could ever imagine the world being given to the meek, of all people!

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." This is so contrary to the ways of the world. The world thinks in terms of strength and power, of ability and self-assurance, of aggressiveness.

However, Jesus says, "Happy are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Once more, then, we are reminded that the child of God is completely different from the world. The child of God belongs to an entirely different Kingdom, with an entirely different set of values and priorities. We find our happiness in a different sort of way.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." This statement must have come as a great shock to the Jews of Jesus' day. Those Jews had definite ideas about the Kingdom and the Messiah. The Kingdom, they thought, was going to be established by military power and might. And the Messiah, they believed, was the One who was going to lead them to victory. But Jesus says, "No, no, that is not the way. I am not like that, and my Kingdom is not like that. My way, the way of my Kingdom is like this: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

So who are these meek? What do they do? What are they like? Perhaps the best way of approaching this is to look at it in terms of certain examples.

Abraham is one person who springs to mind. Remember when the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot argued about water and grass? Abraham proposed a parting of ways. Abraham was the older of the two; it was to him that God gave the promise of the land; so Abraham had every right to choose first. However, Abraham yielded by giving Lot the first choice. And he did it without murmur or complaint. That’s meekness (Gen 13:8-11). 1

David gives us another example. Remember him as a lad going out to meet mighty Goliath armed only with a sling and 5 pebbles? He slung one stone and killed Goliath. I think you would agree with me that this was one of the greatest moments of David's life. Did you ever notice that David never mentions this victory over Goliath in all of the psalms? He talks about everything else that has happened: enemies, sins, trials, lessons. But he never talks about Goliath. That is meekness.

How about John the Baptist? He was such a powerful figure that Jesus' eulogy of John was that "Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist" (Mt 11:11). Yet, when asked who he was, John the Baptist simply said, "I am nobody. I am just a voice in the wilderness" (John 1:23). His humility, his meekness, could scarcely be greater.

Lastly, consider Jesus Christ. Don't forget who he is: the second person of the triune Godhead, the Word through whom God made the heavens and the earth. In entering our world he made himself nothing. He took on the nature of a servant. He humbled himself and became obedient to death (Phil 2:6f). Remember what he said? "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt 11:28-29). You see his meekness in all of life. You see it in his reaction to other people. Jesus embodied meekness.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Well, then, what is meekness? We have looked at the examples. What do they tell us about meekness? What is meekness? The Greek word used by Jesus refers to a wild horse tamed or medicine that could control a fever. Strength under control. It is something every Christian is supposed to be. Every child of God, regardless of temperament or psychology, regardless of position or power, regardless of gifts or abilities, is meant to be meek. All children of God, whether they be male or female, whether they be young or old, are meant to be meek.

When we are meek it will show itself in three areas. First of all, we should be meek towards God. Think of the animal which has been trained by its master. Wild and unruly animals are worthless but when trained they become meek, that is teachable and quiet. Likewise, people who are meek are open to the Lord's leading, guidance, and direction. Those who are meek place themselves under the control and discipline of God. When he corrects or reproves, or offers guidance to us, we should not act as children who start screaming and kicking because they are disciplined. Rather, we should respond with meekness - a gentle humility. Indeed, there can be no true religion without this gentle humility, for all true religion begins with a realization of our own weakness and of our need for God.

Second, we should be meek towards our fellow man. Philippians 2:4-5 says "Don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too, and in what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ's." How do you treat people who serve you? Waitresses, secretaries, clerks, tellers at the bank, fast food operators. Are you understanding or demanding?

Romans 14:1 says "Accept him who is weak in the faith without passing judgement on disputable matters." Happiness comes when you can be gentle with people who have not attained your level of perfection. They don't have to reach up to your standards to be loved.

James 3:16-17 says, "Wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder... But wisdom from above is pure, peaceful, gentle, and friendly." Circle the word "gentle". That's the same word as "meek”" Meekness and gentleness means strength under control - a gentle giant. Meekness is learning to disagree agreeably. Meekness is being able to walk hand in hand without seeing eye to eye. It is an attitude that leads to happiness.

We need to learn to be understanding, not demanding with people who serve us. We need to be learn to be gentle, not judgmental with people who let us down. And we need to be tender with others even when they disagree with us. That’s meekness.

Finally, we should be meek towards ourselves. Corrie Ten Boom used to tell the story about a proud woodpecker who was tapping away at a dead tree when the sky unexpectedly turned black and the thunder began to roll. Undaunted, he went right on working. Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck the old tree, splintering it into hundreds of pieces. Startled but unhurt, the haughty bird flew off, screeching to his feathered friends, "Hey, everyone, look what I did! Look what I did!"

This old woodpecker reminds me of people who think more highly of themselves than they should. Usually they are so busy bragging about their achievements and their greatness that they fail to recognize God as the source of all their abilities. They are suffering from spiritual delusions of grandeur. Without the Lord no one amounts to anything, and in our own strength we cannot please Him.

"Happy are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." "Inherit the earth." What does that mean? Perhaps Jesus is simply saying, "Happy are the meek - the humble, the gentle - for they will receive true wealth. They are the true masters of the world!" It has always been true that the truly great people are those who have this gift of self-control, who have their passions, instincts, and impulses under control.

When we are truly meek, when we trust in God’s strength, not our own, when we are gentle in our dealings with others, when we are humble enough to put other’s needs before our own desires, we have taken a step toward a happiness that the world cannot offer. "Happy are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth!"

(I did not preach this sermon during the sermon series. Instead, Pam Brule preached on this verse while I was on vacation. This is simply my addition to the web list.)