These eight Beatitudes unlock access to God’s Kingdom in our lives. The more we live like citizens of heaven; the more heaven becomes visible through our lives on earth.
Beatitudes are progressive beginning with the confession of our sinful state progressing to spiritual maturity seeing the kingdom of heaven manifest in the earth. There are four reflections of a heart posture and four reflections of a lifestyle of the person who lives under God’s rule.
Matthew 5:3-10 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ESV
Jesus lived in the context of powerful Romans, prideful Jews and educated Greeks all seeking to be elite. But he never gives in to this upside-down world as he introduces the right-side up reality of God’s Kingdom, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”
After these beatitudes Jesus explains influence referencing sermon on the mount type people are the salt of the earth.
It is a mistake to entrust influence and power to anyone who is unbroken, unteachable and un-submitted! My children were not allowed to take my car until they willingly let me yell at them from the passenger seat repeatedly.
Once they demonstrated the ability to control the power of a 3,000 pound vehicle that has the ability to accelerate, brake and swerve quickly and dangerously, then they took the car without me. In that season I learned to pray from a much deeper place!
Meekness is power under control. Once we bring power under control then we then begin to receive our inheritance from God.
It is very accepted that this beatitude is a quotation of Psalm 37:11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. NIV
Psalms 37:9 says, “Those who wait for the Lord shall possess the land.” This word “wait” literally means to wait patiently in hopeful expectation. Meek people are those who wait for the Lord. I encourage you to take some time with Psalm 37 this week to reflect on these characteristics of meekness. This chapter paints a picture giving us a greater understanding of what it means to be meek.
So, let’s put this picture of meekness together. Verse 5 says the meek commit their way to the Lord and trust in Him. Those who are meek believe that God will work for them and vindicate them when others oppose them.
Biblical meekness is rooted in the deep confidence that God is for you and not against you.
Next, meek people commit their way to the Lord (verse 5a). They admit that they are insufficient to cope with the complexities and pressures and obstacles of life, and they trust that God is able and willing to sustain them and guide them and protect them.
Verse 7 says they are quiet or still before the Lord fully confident that God can be trusted. They wait patiently in stillness for the work of God in their lives. This isn’t being lazy. But rather free of frenzy. Meek people have a quiet stability even in the midst of upheaval.
There is this steady calm that comes from knowing that God is in control.
Verse 8 says they refrain from anger and forsake wrath. Sermon on the mount type people realize their family, their work and their lives are in God’s capable hands! They trust Him. They wait patiently and quietly to see how his power and goodness will work things out. Setbacks, obstacles and opponents in life don’t get the angry reactions that are so common in our upside-down world.
Meekness places all circumstances in God’s hands as a tool for him to use to shape us more into the image of Christ. We can take a punch and be criticized without retaliating if we understand this revelation of “blessed emptiness.” Meekness is the power to absorb adversity and criticism without lashing back. Like a fighter training for a fight we are learning to absorb punches and reflect the nature of Christ.
Meekness does not mean the absence of passion and conviction and even indignation for the glory of God. But it does mean that we don’t have hair-triggers. It does mean that our disposition is one of readiness to listen and learn. It does mean that we are slow to write a person off, slow to condemn, slow to anger. Let us be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves in discerning what is meekness and what is pride.
Meekness begins with God and ends with God. And therefore, whenever we see a person like that, we give God the glory and the aim of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount is fulfilled.
To be meek is to trust God more than yourself, live humbly, and love others gently—and that kind of life is the life God promises to richly bless forever.
GP2RL: Look for opportunities this week to absorb difficult comments and situations with grace practicing the nature of Christ.
