Considering the current state of our union, I thought I would take this opportunity to draw focus to some words in red.
When you hear the word ‘meek’, what comes to mind? For many, and until recently myself, frail, weak, passive, affable, push over, wimpy and many other ‘weakling’ adjectives and nouns come to mind. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 Why would someone who is weak, a push over, be chosen to inherit the earth? Are we to walk weakly, allow people to push us around, take advantage of us? God will reward us for that?
That is not, I believe, what Jesus was speaking of. The definition of meekness that he was referencing in his Sermon on the Mount, is one that has been muddled and lost to today’s society. The literal interpretation is “gentle,” but the Greek offers a much deeper meaning. The picture that this word conjures up is to have great power to do harm, but choosing to suffer insult upon yourself rather than using your power to cause injury. It means laying the power down. It means to be courteous, kind, compassionate, righteous, accommodating. It also means to behave in obedience, and submission to authority. So, Jesus is commanding, that we as his followers, exercise this strength. He demands us to be kind, gentle, courteous and compassionate to our fellow man. To allow space for others and not wield our power over them. He demands obedience and submission to his supreme and solemn authority. That is what it is to be strong in meekness. For that, he promised his rewards, even in this life. “For they SHALL (not possibly will) inherit the earth”. So, here’s a challenge. Go out and flex your meekness muscles and pray that a spirit of meekness would fall upon the rest of the nation and man, woman and child would express this lesson, Jesus taught the world 2000 years ago, to each and every person that enters into their sphere of influence. My prayer is to see this started and to see it maintained in each and every one of our lives, daily, from this day forward. May God bless you with an enjoyable and positive weekend.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’ Matthew 5:3-12 (NKJV)
