Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”Dear Saints, you have noticed that the first two qualities of the blessed (poverty of spirit, mourning over sins) are both kept only through the power of the Holy Spirit lived out in us. The third quality, meekness or gentleness, is equally as supernatural. Galatians 5:23 corroborates this statement as it mentions “gentleness” as being one of the fruit of the Spirit-filled life. This word represented by the classical authors (Aristotle, Plato), is founded in self-control or in natural disposition. For the Christian, meekness is based on humility, which is not a natural quality but an outgrowth of a renewed nature.
It is also very important to take notice that these beatitudes are written in their current sequence for a purpose. As Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones writes, “A man can never be meek unless he is poor in spirit. A man can never be meek unless he has seen himself as a vile sinner. These other things must come first.”
In this sermon, Jesus is speaking primarily to the Jews and was probably one of His first major messages to them. The Jews were hoping their Messiah would come and free them from Roman oppression and set up His kingdom on earth. Imagine the shock that must have been in the crowd as Jesus is telling them the “meek will inherit the earth”. The Jews could understand military strength and power but a meek Messiah leading a meek people was far from their idea of a messianic kingdom. How could one gain victory by poverty, mourning, and meekness?
The word gentle in our verse (prautes) is used to describe powerful entities that have been brought under control. Things such as a broken colt (an unbroken colt would be useless), a word (a word can be used constructively or destructively, Proverbs 15:1), or a gentle breeze (wind out of control destroys). Simply interpreted gentleness means great strength under control.
Matthew Henry has an excellent summary of meekness writing, “The meek are those who quietly submit themselves to God, to His word and to His rod, who follow His directions, and comply with His designs, and are gentle towards all men (Titus 3:2); who can bear provocation without being inflamed by it; are either silent, or return a soft answer; and who can show their displeasure when there is occasion for it, without being transported into any indecencies; who can be cool when others are hot; and in their patience keep possession of their own souls, when they can scarcely keep possession of anything else.”
True meekness is best seen in our Lord Jesus Christ. In respect to his own person, He trusted the Father unwaveringly and did not have to be vengeful or vindictive. When spat upon he did not spit back. When mocked he did not retaliate. When his friends abandoned Him, he did not utter a reproach. When the nails were driven through His precious hands he said, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they doing.” However, when it came to matters of faith and the welfare of others, Jesus laid the smack down on some people. He rebuked the Pharisees because of the hardness of their hearts and their oppression of the people. He was angered when the disciples tried to prevent little children from coming to him. Jesus made a whip, turned over tables and drove the money changers from the temple when they were desecrating the House of God.
This picture of Jesus, gives you a wonderful picture of what it means to be meek. Jesus trusted God and because of this trust he did not feel the need to defend Himself. This is not an exhibition of weakness, but rather enormous strength that is under control. He showed love towards those who would do evil against Him but stands up like a lion in defense of others or of the truth.
I have some good news for you. There is no lack of opportunity for you to grow in this arena, occasions to exercise this gentleness in daily life. And remember, it is not the arrogant, self-absorbed, defensive, and grasping that will inherit the earth but rather the meek. John Bunyan in The Pilgrim’s Progress writes...
He that is down needs fear no fall,
He that is low no pride;
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.
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