Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matt. 5:5 NIV)
When we see golfers like Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns, Russell Henley, Zach Johnson, Bernhard Langer, and Stewart Cink, whether in victory or defeat, we see, among other things, a quality of meekness. We see men who are humble, grateful, kindhearted, patient, and self-controlled.
The Greek word for meek that Jesus used in the third Beatitude is praus, a word used to describe a wild horse that had been tamed. While the horse still possessed all its strength, speed, and spirit, that power was now channeled and directed by the rider’s will.
For us, having a meek spirit means that our talent, temper, and drive are directed by God rather than by our ego.
Scripture contains numerous examples of meek individuals such as Abraham, Joseph, David, Hannah, Paul, and Stephen. In Numbers 12:3, we are told: “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all the people who were on the face of the earth.” Moses confronted the most powerful ruler in the world, led a vast nation through the wilderness, and spoke with God face to face.
Jesus is the perfect model of meekness. He described himself, using the same Greek word praus, in Matthew 11:29 as “gentle and lowly in heart.” He had all authority, yet he chose humility.
He washed feet, served others, and submitted to the cross. His true power was revealed in his humble obedience to God’s will. His entire life was a voluntary laying aside of power in service to others. Jesus’ meekness was exemplified by his complete surrender to God’s control.
The meek do not assert themselves over others to further their own agendas in their own strength. Instead, they trust God to direct the outcome of events.
They do not envy or retaliate; they exercise patience in the face of adversity. This trust is all about exercising “strength under control” rather than “strength seeking control.”
In stark contrast to Jesus’ use of the word meek, our world and the surrounding culture view those who are meek as weak, spineless, passive, timid, or mousy. Jesus turned the culture’s thinking upside down when he spoke about the meek.
The world believes that the proud, the tough, and the aggressive inherit the earth by the code of “survival of the fittest.” Jesus rejected the world’s view by proclaiming that those who submit to God and trust him to defend them will inherit the land.
This inheritance is both earthly and heavenly. Here on earth, it includes peace, joy, contentment, and hope for our future. After our physical death, the inheritance consists of our reigning with Christ in a new heaven and a new earth.
This Beatitude is a promise to us if we will surrender our agenda to God’s plan—not because we are weak but because we are strong enough to trust someone greater than ourselves.
In the end, meekness is trust and confidence—confidence in who we are in God’s eyes so that we no longer feel the need to push, shove, or shout to get our way. We can afford to be gentle because we know God is in control of the outcome.
As we venture forth this week, let us reflect the light of Jesus by being examples of meekness, gentleness, patience, and humility.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us to exhibit meekness in our lives by being gentle, patient, humble, and kind so that we might better reflect Jesus’ image and character to the world around us. Amen.