Blessed Are The Meek
FOURTH IN MY TEACHING SERIES ON THE BLESSED LIFE, BY TROY DOBBS
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5
Human beings love power, and will do nearly anything to get it — and keep it. People want to be strong and dominant because it gives them the illusion of being in control.
Is Meekness Really Weakness?
Many, if not most, people tend to believe that meekness is weakness, and who wants to be weak? Or they may think that meekness may work in the church, but it won’t fly in the real world. They believe the only thing the meek get is smacked around and left behind.
“In whatever way various groups of people expected the Messiah to come, they did not anticipate His coming humbly and meekly… The idea of a meek Messiah leading meek people was from from any of their concepts of the messianic kingdom. The Jews understood military power and miracle power… But they did not understand the power of meekness… In spite of all the miracles of His ministry, the people never really believed in Jesus as the Messiah, because He failed to act in military or miracle power against Rome… That was not the kind of Messiah they wanted.”
Author Kyle Dobbs
Truth be told, most of us still don’t understand the power of meekness. And most of us still struggle with the New Testament Jesus — and His ministry in the world.
Meekness Defined
If the word “meek” doesn’t mean weak, soft, or spineless, then what exactly does it mean? We certainly can’t understand this beatitude without rightly interpreting the word. The Greek for “meek” is a word that means “power under control,” “bridled strength,” or “power harnessed for a purpose.” Think in terms of a wild horse that needs to be broken to be made useful to its owner. A meek horse, then, is not a weak horse — but rather a thriving beast brought under the master’s control.
This beatitude aligns with the promise in Psalm 37:11 where it says, “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” In this verse, the equivalent Hebrew word for “meek” is used to describe someone who is submissive to the will of God. The meek person then, is not a weak person, but rather one who deonstrates power under control and submission to God.
One who embraces meekness realizes it becomes a stabilizing force that keeps us from thinking too highly of ourselves and from always expecting a break. Rather, meekness says something altogether different:
- “If there’s a job that no one wants to do, I’ll do it.”
- “If there’s a kid that no one wants to sit with at lunch, I’ll eat with them.”
- “If there’s a hardship I have to endure, I’ll go through it for God’s glory.”
- “If there’s a sacrifice someone needs to make, I’ll make it.”
The meek person doesn’t do this out of guilt or shame, under compulsion, or in a spirit of martyrdom. He or she does it because they are absolutely convinced taht God is good and in complete control of all things. Obviously, this kind of meekness doesn’t come naturally to us.
Let’s Connect The Dots
When genuine poverty of spirit (beatitude 1) is accompanied by mourning over our sin (beatitude 2), these two realties create in us a gentleness and a meekness (beatitude 3), both in the way we respond to Jesus and in the way we treat others, even if they’ve mistreated us.
Embracing the Beatitudes will change. you forever!
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