“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5.

The blessings of the beatitudes are for those who are realistic about their sinfulness, who are repentant of their sins, and who will respond to God upon His terms in the Gospel and His righteousness.

Most of Jesus’ hearers, like fallen men throughout history, were concerned about justifying their own ways, defending their own rights, and serving their own ends. Meekness has always been God’s way for man. “The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way” (Psalm 25:9).

THE MEANING OF MEEKNESS.

The word meekness means gentle, mild or soft. The term sometimes was used to describe a soothing medicine or a soft breeze. Meekness has nothing to do weakness. Meekness is the opposite of violence and vengeance. Meekness is not cowardice. Meekness means power put under control. A person with meekness is described this way, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city”(Proverbs 16:32). As a human attitude, it meant being gentle of spirit, meek, submissive, quiet,
and tender-hearted. Emotion that is out of control destroys, and has no place in God’s kingdom. “For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).

The spirit of meekness is the spirit of Christ, who defended the glory of His Father, but gave Himself in sacrifice for others. When His Father’s house was profaned by moneychangers,

“He made a whip of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables” (John 2:15).

Jesus repeatedly denounced the wicked religious leaders for their hypocrisy, and He fearlessly uttered divine judgment on those who forsook and corrupted God’s Word. Meekness is not weakness, but is power completely surrendered to the will of God.

THE RESULT OF MEEKNESS.

The result of meekness besides being blessed is that “they shall inherit the earth”. One day God will completely reclaim the earth, His creation, and those who are His children through faith in His Son will rule that domain with Him. And the only ones who become His children and the subjects of His divine kingdom are those who are gentle, those who are meek, because they understand their total unworthiness and sinfulness and cast themselves on the mercy of God. God’s children live in faith and hope based upon promises from God’s Word, one being that, “they shall inherit the earth”.Only the meek will inherit the earth, because only the meek belong to the King who will rule the future kingdom of the earth. Because we belong to Christ, our place in the kingdom is as secure as His.

THE NECESSITY OF MEEKNESS.

Meekness is necessary first of all because it is required for salvation. “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven”(Matthew 18:3).

Meekness is also necessary because it is commanded. “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). Meekness is necessary because we cannot be effective witnesses without it. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear”(1 Peter 3:15). Meekness is necessary because, only meekness gives glory to God and meekness is reflected in our attitude toward other Christians. (Romans 15:5-7).

Written:  John Denman

Photo by Clifton Franks