Neither Bureaucrats Nor Blowhards!

“Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” Really, Jesus? Are you kidding? Those who run the show, accumulate all the money and power, already seem to have a lock on possessing the earth; and there is nothing meek about them! More to the point, we tend to respect the powerful, the bold, the self-promoting. Besides, since Americans elect citizen leaders—at least, that's the idea—we need them to put themselves forward, tell who they are and why they're the best candidate to represent us. Modern media has, if anything, made this a necessity. No one who is meek is likely to win an election.  Yet, let's face it; most of us don't like bureaucrats or blowhards, or tin gods or tyrants!

Unlike the earlier two Beatitudes that targeted “the poor in spirit” and “those who mourn,” “the meek” are most likely those who choose, grow, and mature in meekness. How do they do that? Perhaps by heeding Jesus' exhortation later in Mathew 11:29: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” The NIV renders “meek and lowly” as “gentle and humble,” certainly not suggesting that Jesus was passive or weak. Meekness is a quality that requires quiet strength over bluster or bravado. The meek do not engage in self-promotion or advancement, perhaps because they recognize and quietly accept their own capability and worth, without needing either recognition or power.

Our example is Jesus for he is “meek and lowly of heart.” Or further in context:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek (gentle) and lowly (humble) in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Clearly Jesus does not lack strength, boldness, or power; he is fearless, not a wimp or coward. After all, he is our coming King!  He exemplifies a meekness that encompasses gentle strength. This suggests that, for those who will “inherit the earth,” this may provide a picture or character description of good leadership and godly governance. In other words, this Beatitude is more than a mere promise of future blessing but an indication of how God may use us in the eternal economy. For example, “Here is a trustworthy saying: 'If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him'...” (II Timothy 2: 11-12a).

Fortunately, our inheritance does not merely depend on our spiritual effort: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (longsuffering), kindness (gentleness), goodness, faithfulness (faith), gentleness (meekness) and self-control (temperance). Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:21-22, words in italics are KJV)). As always God by his spirit is working within us to grow the fruit he desires; the present of meekness is by his will not merely our own. Indeed, how many would choose not to be meek, given that choice, and how many of us interfere by working toward goals that are not his?

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However, he also urges us through the Apostle Paul (in Ephesians 4:1-3) to support his work in us:

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (or in KVJ “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love”). Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

A Christian's “worthy walk” is meek. This strikes me as a key element in evangelism. We need to be confident but gentle, not pushy but caring, interested and understand, and not seeking to chalk up another sale! I like the picture of the everyday evangelist as “a hungry man (or woman) telling another hungry person where to find food.” This isn't a domineering spirit but a meek and gentle one, not from doubt, uncertainty, or fear but from a quiet but loving confidence.

In response is Jesus promise, “Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.” This is certainly an encouragement to live our lives as he has commended. It is also a blessing to know that, what he desires in us, he is already working to establish. And for that, we will receive a precious and glorious inheritance and position in his royal government!