“Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.”
- Matthew 5:5
Today, authority, leadership, and power are hotly talked about subjects whether we use those words or not. The President of the United States is in an impeachment process. Billionaires keep getting richer, and the impoverished remain impoverished. All those in power grapple for any power they can gain. Our favorite shows and movies have lead characters that are superheroes or experts in their field. We see power as having money; we see power as having viral influence; we see power as having cameras on us.
This grappling for power, though it is not just for politicians, celebrities, CEO’s, and social media influencers. Every day, normal, average people like you and like me try grappling for power and control in almost any way we can. Our fight for authority is not entirely evil, though. In fact, in the beginning, Adam and Eve were given authority over all creation (Genesis 1:27-31). So in some respect, we were designed with a God-given authority within our humanity. Yet, like all blessings disposed to us, we managed to corrupt it.
Our grapple for power leads to arrogance, ignorance, divisive debating, and the dehumanization of others. We don’t have to look very far to find these in our day. We have an issue with power. All throughout history, nations, and kings rose and fell in the pursuit of power and independence. The darkest days of the church could be argued to be due to abuses of power. We have gotten power all wrong, and yet, Jesus takes time in Beatitudes to clear it all up.
Blessed are the meek:
In the wake of political corruption and legalistic religious influencers, Jesus tells his band of fishermen, tax-collectors, and other blue-collar followers, “Blessed are the meek.” Now, I think because it rhymes, we too often correlate meek with weak. No one likes to be considered weak. However, meek and weak are different. In the societal view, weak will usually lead and tie to an idea of oppression. However, meek connects to an idea of intention humility, and gentleness.
Jesus Himself provides us the ultimate idea of meekness. Jesus, being God, the Son, who existed prior to the beginning and will rule as King for all eternity. The Lord over lords. The God over gods. He, the almighty, all-knowing, ever-present, Word of the living God, took on flesh. Coming to earth as a baby, threatened in that defenseless state to be killed by King Herod, who was afraid of but a toddler Jesus. He went through hunger pangs, growth pains, and youth group games. He crafted with wood, surely experiencing many splinters, cuts, and dry eyes. For thirty years, He did this before being publicly recognized at His baptism as the Son of God. He left His rightful place in Heaven, a deity over everything, to be fully human and poop His diaper. That is the ultimate form of meekness. Not weakness.
If you ever think you are entitled to something, just remember, Jesus, who saves all who come to faith in Him, denied Himself and became a baby.
Don’t be confused, though; your earthly title does not determine if you are meek or not. Your humbleness in whatever life you live determines your meekness. Humility and meekness is a different kind of power.
Power of meekness:
In order to truly believe that meekness is power, one must believe there is more than just this life. For Jesus says, “for they will inherit the earth.” I do not believe this to be the current earth in which we live that one will inherit. Why deny yourself here and now if you will only inherit the here and now? No, I believe Jesus is talking about the life to come, the place in which we store our treasures (Matthew 6:19-21). It is a New Earth and a New Jerusalem (Revelation 21). There is power in meekness.
The meek heart is open to correction and growth; it sees its criticism and circumstances and rises above it. The meek heart knows who to depend upon and who truly provides for their daily needs. The meek heart gives to others what it can, not just what it wants to. The meek heart makes a true disciple. The meek heart denies itself, it looks to God, and it looks to others.
When all the world around us is wrestling for control and power, for resources and influence, for security and stature. When the world is doing all of that, the meek heart stands beside the chaos and looks to God, with whom the heart is fully content by. The power of meekness, is defiance to the ways of the worldly instincts.
Even if most of Jesus’s disciples were already overlooked and despised because of their roles, it was still important to Jesus to teach them about meekness. Who a true disciple is and why it is so important to deny oneself. That is a power that changes the world, and the very power that lets one inherit blessings.
Final Blessing:
I wonder how you may take a posture of meekness this next week? Maybe that is materialistic denial, or to encourage someone as opposed to bashing that person. Where might you embody the Spirit of grace, even if you have the perfect opportunity to hate. The beautiful thing is for all who believe have the Holy Spirit within them, to guide them and fill them with the Love of God. Seeking meekness might just help you and I to tap into the Spirit, who is waiting for us to acknowledge the blessing.
May the Lord of life and redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat. Be messengers of the Good News and Peace friends!
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