The Beatitudes: The Meek
Here is my continuation of the series of the beatitudes, the first of Jesus’ teachings on the mount in Matthew chapter 5. I’ve discussed the poor in spirit, and those who mourn, but now I will turn back to a similar feeling to the humility inherent in the poor in spirit, that is the humility of the meek.
Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
The third beatitude speaks of the meek, and their inheritance of the earth. Is this Jesus giving away tracts of land to those who are meek? Let’s discuss what it means to be meek, and how it translates to getting some property, if that truly is the case…
Meek, Greek praus, means to be humble, gentle, and mild, that is, mild in temperament. The original Greek lent itself to form the basis for a common English word that has almost entirely lost its original meaning. That English word is gentleman. We can see that a meek person is a gentle person. To be meek is to be humbly docile, submissive, and compliant. The meek do not get angry, boast, or act like the world owe them anything. The meek feel superior to none.
So those who submit are called blessed by Jesus. Submit to whom? Submit to everyone? Maybe not everyone, but it means what it means. Be humble in all situations, and be gentle. These are the people called to follow Christ…In actuality, they are called to carry out the will of God. The meek act in dutiful acceptance of that Will. That’s why they are called blessed.
Now what is meant by this inheritance? Is this something given to us when someone dies? Not really.
In one way it is an inheritance of the promised land, as said in Psalm 36:11…
Psalm 36:11
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.
This refers to the Promised Land of Israel, in the context of the psalm. But there is another way to see the meaning of ‘the meek will inherit the earth.’
As in the beatitude and in the words of Christ, ‘the earth’ is a symbol of the Kingdom of Heaven, the spiritual realm of the Messiah. Those who bow before God’s desires will inherit Heaven! Not a bad deal, don’t you think? It is our reward for our service to God and to man in God’s example.
Just to give some perspective, I will read more in Psalm 36, to illustrate the need for true gentleness and meekness among people today. This is what happens to those who do not follow the example of Christ in submitting, serving, and being an instrument of God’s will.
Pssalm 36:12-15
12 The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him,
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose way is upright;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.
Here we can see those who are not acting in God’s will, those that are boastful, prideful, arrogant, and self-centered, will meet a gruesome end. The righteous prevail in the end, with God destroying the wicked.
This beatitude is simple. Be gentle and mild-hearted to all people. Be submissive to God’s will in your life, and do not think of yourself as any better than others. They who humbly and meekly bend themselves down before God and man, shall “inherit the land” and posses their inheritance in peace.
That inheritance is peace and love in Heaven with God forever! No peace like that is known on Earth. Seek that peace through being meek.
Buzz
