Meekness is not a character trait we see often in today’s world, or at least we don’t think we do. Maybe we don’t see it because we have defined it the wrong way. We live in a world where everyone wants to be heard. Protests are rampant, and the promoting of self is a common theme. If I believe something is right, then I seek to push and convince others my view is correct, no matter the pain it may cause others. My view of what is right is based on my personal feelings alone. When someone chooses to pray and seek God’s way they are called weak. Many think Christianity is a crutch for those who are weak and powerless. Again, the worldview is wrong! Meekness is power, but meekness is power under control.
The third “be” in Matthew 5:5 tells us the meek are blessed. Their reward is that they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
A person who is meek is patient. Others may do them wrong, but their emotions are kept in check. They don’t yield to the flesh with a sudden burst of anger. They don’t harbor ill feelings toward those who have done them wrong and seek vengeance. Yet, the meekest person to walk the face of this earth, the very definition of meekness, Jesus, spoke up for himself in John 18:23.
John 18:23 “Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?”
Matthew 11:29 “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.”
There is also a time for the meek to show its strength. Jesus upon visiting the temple, a place of worship and a representation of God to His people, found them abusing the temple and using it as a place to gain financially. Obviously, the priest had approved of what they were doing, or they would not have been there. Jesus knew their goal was not to help those who were coming from out of town for the Passover. Their goal was to extort as much money as possible from those entering the temple. Jesus, God in the flesh would have no part of this defilement and He threw them out of the temple. This meek man by which we define meekness, showed His strength when sin needed to be purged from the temple.
John 2:15-16 “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise.”
Meekness is not seeking its own way, but God’s way. A meek person is a powerful person because they have proved they are controlled by God, not the flesh. Paul was a meek man he endured much wrong, but he patiently endured it for the cause of Christ. When he spoke up for himself it was not so he could be vindicated it was always so God could be exalted.
A meek person continues to suffer knowing God will vindicate the situation. When we handle our tough unjust situations in this manner it shows others where our confidence lies. It is not in ourselves. When wrongs are made right by God, He gets the glory, not man.
The person who is meek will be blessed, fully satisfied, because their confidence is not in themselves, but in the one who is all-powerful and all-knowing. He is righteous and holy in all that He does. He has told us that vengeance is His, not ours.
Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
The last part of the verse gives us a promise. The promise is the meek will inherit the earth. There is much debate about what this is referring to. Some commentators believe He uses this phrase because the Jews were very concerned about their promised land, and maintaining control of it. Others believe he intended the phrase to encourage the disciples and give them the strength to endure in meekness. Our natural desire is to defend ourselves or retaliate. A person can only be truly meek by supernatural help. Jesus was the supernatural help they needed. He taught them by example and through His words while here on earth. When He returned to Heaven, He sent them the power of the Holy Spirit to dwell within to help the natural man to react in a supernatural way. Meekness is power, but not our power but His!
