Blessed are the meek
Think about any of the popular blockbuster movie franchises - 'The Fast and The Furious', 'The MCU and The Avengers', 'John Wick', etc. Most of them don't really feature a lead character who could accurately be described as 'meek'. Meek people typically aren't action heroes. Meek people don't usually have crowds cheering for them. Becoming a 'meek person' isn't really something we're encouraged to 'strive for' by popular culture...
We're still in our series on 'The Beatitudes' from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and we'll be looking at the third blessing - that of the meek. Hopefully this passage is starting to sound familiar...
Matthew 5:1-5 (NIV)
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, (2) and he began to teach them, saying: (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. (5) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
That doesn't really fit with many people's understanding of meek. Why would timid, quiet people ever be rewarded with the earth? Aggressive people who know what they want and work hard for it – those are the people who get ahead, right? - J. Paul Getty, the wealthy American industrialist, once famously remarked, "The meek shall inherit the Earth, but not its mineral rights."
As we look at this subject, I think for many there's some…
I. Misunderstanding about meekness
Jesus is encouraging the virtue of meekness, but the rest of the world sees it as a negative thing. The dictionary definition of 'meek' is, "too submissive; easily imposed upon; spineless; deficient in spirit and courage." I wouldn't really want someone to describe me as 'meek' by that understanding. It's completely passive and fearfully submissive.
Based on that definition, who would want to be characterized as meek? But there was also another dictionary definition - "gentle or kind." Now that sounds a bit nicer. And that definition has some truth in it for what Jesus meant by meek, but it still misses the point. In defining meekness, let's look at the concept of…
A. Being submissive
To me - a lack of submission - is one of the biggest issues facing the Church today. I believe that's why so many Churches are having conflicts among leadership and denominational splits. I believe that's why so many people are seeking to redefine God's Word to fit their own desires – rather than submit to God's Word and follow.
- Being submissive isn't necessarily bad despite what the rest of the world might say. The opposite of submission is rebellion. That might sound pretty cool when you're a teenager, but it makes for a pretty rough life if you're rebelling against God and His authority.
Let's look at the example of one who claimed to be a believer in Jesus but was not submissive. The Apostle John - one called by Jesus Himself - wrote this in 3 John 1:9-10 (NIV)...
I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. (10) So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.
Diotrephes would not be described as 'meek'. He wouldn't submit to John's authority, even as an Apostle. The big questions about submission as to whether it's good or bad really boil down to why you are submitting, and to whom. And - is it submission out of weakness or submission out of strength?
In the New International version it says, in Numbers 12:3...
(Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)
But if we also look in the King James Version we see that same verse translated as…
(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
The word 'humble' may fit our modern understanding better, but the concept of meekness is 'strength under control; submission to the will of God.' Moses submitted to God's leading. Moses had to deal with endless battles, with people who were supposedly followers of God, when he led the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan. He even had to accept God's decision to not allow him into the Promised Land after working so hard to get there.
Moses was a strong man with a strong temper. It was that temper that caused him to strike a rock to bring out water for the people rather than simply speaking to the rock as God had commanded him. Because of that disobedience, God basically said, "Moses, in order to teach everyone the pain and consequences of sin, I'm not going to let you enter the Promised Land; the people will go in, but you won't."
Moses then demonstrated meekness. He could have complained, "I led these people this whole time and did everything else you commanded me – I deserve to enter the Promised Land!" But he didn't – he submitted to God's Will and accepted God's decision.
That's meekness – submission to God; strength under control. Biblical 'meekness' means humbly accepting circumstances, whether they seem fair or not, knowing that God is in control. Those who are meek are prepared to forego their rights in this world, however painful or disappointing it may be, if that's what God requires of them – the meek will inherit the earth. Moses was…
B. 'Meek' not weak
I read that the Greek word translated here as "meek" was the same word used to describe a powerful animal that had been tamed. 'A wild horse that had been trained to use a bit and bridle was just as strong as it was before, but now that power was harnessed.' Biblical meekness is strength under control.
A.W. Tozer wrote, "The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels. - In himself, nothing; in God, everything."
The Biblical concept of meekness has to do with complete submission to God out of strength. Now let's look at…
II. Meekness lived out
Biblical 'meekness' means being strong enough to humbly accept all circumstances, whether they seem fair or not, knowing that God is in control! Those who are meek are prepared to forego their rights in this world, however painful or disappointing it may be, if that's what God requires of them.
One author wrote, "Being meek doesn't mean throwing in the towel, it means giving God authority to do what He wills with our life. If we're more centered on ourselves and our comforts, we tend to fuss and complain and point out all the things that don't go our way. If we are low on meekness we tend to see the world through the lens of 'poor me' instead of 'God's got it all figured out!' "
And that's hard to do! I find myself in the 'poor me' camp more than I'd like to admit. Let's look to the perfect example of meekness lived out…
A. Jesus
There's a hymn entitled, "Gentle Jesus, meek and mild". That's definitely the attributes that come to mind when we think of Jesus. Even in His own words we see this in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)...
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (29) 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. (30) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
And here that word 'gentle' in the NIV is the same word translated as 'meek' in the King James. Jesus described Himself as 'meek'. Would Jesus fit the modern definition of 'meek' from the dictionary? – "easily imposed upon; spineless; deficient in spirit and courage; passive."
Jesus boldly cast out demons! Jesus audaciously commanded the storm and waves to be calm! Jesus fearlessly overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple and chased them out with a whip! Jesus was not passive or spineless, but Jesus was meek - strength under control, complete submission to God's will!
Mark 3:1-6 (NIV)
Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. (2) Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. (3) Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." (4) Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.
(5) He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. (6) Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Jesus never meant that meek people don't ever get angry or confront sin or sinful attitudes. What Jesus might be saying about meekness is, 'blessed is the man or woman who controls his anger at the right time and then acts - but doesn't get angry at the wrong time or for the wrong reasons.' If we understand 'meekness' in context with all of Jesus' teachings and actions, we see that we are called to turn the other cheek when we are wronged, but anger over injustices done to others seems to be very appropriate.
Selfish anger is a sin, but selfless anger can motivate us to take a moral stand - in submission to God, regardless of the cost to us! It's this type of righteous anger that fights to change the world when it sees Biblical injustice. It was selfless anger that motivated preacher Dietrich Bonhoeffer to take a stand for those being murdered by the Nazis. But his meekness, his strength under control – enabled him to fearlessly submit and go to his death at their hands knowing that God is in control!
It was Jesus' selfless anger directed at sin that caused Him to submit to His Father and give His life for ours on the cross! When you really understand Biblical meekness, you understand that…
B. Meekness equals useful
When a person learns meekness, it's then that he's useful for God's purposes. When we learn meekness, we become more like Jesus. A meek person becomes sensitive to God's will. A meek person allows God to be in control. A meek person becomes empowered and directed by God's Holy Spirit. A meek person becomes useful when they learn to act like Jesus. Paul describes this attitude of submission in Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV)...
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (4) Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (5) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
We have a choice - we can choose to become meek and learn to act like Jesus - or to seek only our own interests and end up being useless for God's purposes. Learning to act like Jesus takes a lifetime, but we also need to learn to react like Christ. It's one thing to consciously, intentionally act as Jesus did – but what about in tense, frustrating situations when our instincts and emotions seem to control us?
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. (18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (19) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
(20) On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It's easy to be nice to a nice person. It's not easy to hold your tongue and react gently, meekly to an abrasive, aggressive person – one who intentionally does you harm. One test of spiritual maturity is how you handle disagreeable people. Meekness is not compromising your convictions, but being loving and gentle when everything in your body is screaming the opposite.
James 1:19-21 (NIV)
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, (20) for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (21) Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Biblical meekness is a matter of choosing submission to God's will - or choosing rebellion. We need to learn to act and react like Jesus. We need to be strong enough to submit like Jesus did as He faced the cross. He said, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
I'm not great at being meek. I understand meekness. I want to be meek. 'Timid, deficient in courage' - I can do that. I'm just not great at meekness - yet. But if a person does not learn the quality of Biblical 'meekness' - I don't see how they can completely follow Jesus.
So What?
I liked what another preacher wrote, "In order to grow in meekness, we have to admit regularly that we are not equal with God. Meekness is a bit like realizing we truly need to settle for second place and stop trying to be in charge."
And something I thought about - since 'meekness' is 'strength under control' - the implication is that you first have to be strong in order to become meek. And for some of us, that means we may need to first become much more bold in standing for God's truths. Do you look at yourself and think - 'sure, I'm meek' - or - are you harmless..? It's not the 'timid' who are blessed, but the 'meek - those who harness their bold strength for God's greater purposes.
Jesus really did mean the things He said in the Beatitudes. He turned people's thinking upside down and challenged them to think about things the way God did.
Do we trust God enough to lay down our plans and rights and trust that He loves us enough and will take care of us in the end? Meekness is not about giving up and being a doormat for others to trample. It's about willingly dying to self for the sake of God and others. In becoming meek - you and your personality and your individual qualities don't just simply disappear - you become more of who God created you to be! If you believe Jesus, those who submit and learn to become meek will inherit the earth!