The 3rd beatitude says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matt.5:5).” What does it mean to be meek? What does it mean that the meek will inherit the earth?
What Meekness is Not
Sadly, many equate meekness with weakness. Meekness can be associated with humility. In Greek, ‘meek’ means “not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance.” Meekness is a gentleness of spirit. Meekness is considerate. Taking these definitions, who embodied meekness more than any other? Jesus.
Later, in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt. 11:29-30).” Jesus is meek. Would anyone be willing to state that He was a weak man? I don’t think so.
Jesus displayed His sovereign power over the raging waters, demons, and diseases. I don’t know about you, but anyone who can calm the raging waters with the sound of His voice is not weak, in my opinion. Read Matthew 23 and see Jesus’s rebuke of the Pharisees. There, you will not find a man who lacks a backbone.
Meekness ≠ weakness.
What Meekness Is
Meekness is gentleness. Meekness is considerate. Meekness is power under control. Meekness is the opposite of violence and vengeance. Meekness is bravery. Meekness does not imply a lack of conviction. John MacArthur writes, “The Spirit of meekness is the spirit of Christ, who defended the glory of His Father, but gave Himself in sacrifice of others.”
The Necessity of Meekness
First, we see that meekness is necessary because, without a meek spirit, you cannot be saved. The meek do not insist on their own way. The meek are not overly impressed by a sense of their self-importance. The meek are those who are poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3). The meek realize their need for a savior. Psalm 149:4 says, “For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation (emphasis added).” Thomas Watson wrote, “Until sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” He adds, “The more bitterness we taste in sin, the more sweetness we shall taste in Christ.”
Second, meekness is required to hear/understand God’s Word. James writes, “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls (James 1:21, emphasis added).” Steven Lawson wrote, “We do not sit in authority over the Scripture, the Scripture sits in authority over us.” The meek understand their need for God’s Word. The meek understand their need to submit to the authority of God’s Word.
Third, meekness is necessary for effective Christian witness. In Matthew 6, Jesus rebukes the hypocrites for their acts of “worship.” hypocrites are those who parade their “righteousness” before others to be seen by them. They’re not after the glory of God but the glory of self. MacArthur writes, “Pride will always stand between our testimony and those to whom we testify. They will see us instead of the Lord, no matter how orthodox our theology or how refined our technique.” In 1 Peter, the apostle writes, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15, emphasis added).”
You cannot witness faithfully while being full of yourself. You cannot witness effectively if you’re doing so out of bringing attention to yourself.
Meekness Displayed
If you haven’t read Arnold Dallimore’s work on George Whitefield, I highly recommend it. In it, Dallimore discusses the life and times of one of the 18th century’s greatest evangelists. Dallimore writes,
With his eye fixed on his accounting in heaven, he sought no justification of himself on earth. When urged by friends to reply to certain false accusations, lest he be lastingly stigmatized, he replied, ‘I am content to wait till the judgment day for the clearing up of my character. When I am dead I desire no epitaph but this: Here lies G.W. What kind of man he was the great day will discover.’
Can that sort of heart posture describe us? Dallimore adds, “To his followers’ frequent demands that he perpetuate his memory by forming a denomination with himself at its head, he invariably answered, ‘Let the name of Whitefield perish, but Christ be glorified!’”
Does that describe us?
The Result of Meekness
Jesus says the meek “shall inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5).” What does this mean? There is eschatological hope for the meek. The meek are not given to materialism because all that they need is in Christ. The meek are not given to vengeance because their security is found in Christ. The meek are secure in their identity and inheritance in Christ. They shall inherit the earth.
D.A. Carson writes, “Fifty billion trillion years into eternity (if I may speak in terms of time) God’s people will still be rejoicing that this beatitude is literally true.”
Conclusion
The meek do not insist upon their own way. The meek are those who learn to pray like Jesus, “Not my will, but yours be done.” The meek are not consumed with how others view them. The fear of man does not drive them. The meek are those who seek to outdo one another in showing honor (Rom. 12:10). Paul says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility, count others more significant than yourselves (Phil. 2:3).”
Is that us? Imagine the effects of meekness in your marriage, career, family, church, and witness within the culture. We must decrease, and the Lord must increase. God help us.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Josh Chambers
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