In the middle of Jesus’ list of blessed people in His Sermon on the Mount (also referred to The Beatitudes), He added in “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Meek is an interesting word. It’s not one we normally use, and the definition points to why: Merriam-Webster defines meek as
“enduring injury with patience and without resentment…mild…submissive…not violent or strong.”
The first part, we can understand. That’s a love like Jesus has; it forgives. It’s patient. It’s kind.
But “submissive?”
That’s kind of an ugly word. Submissive to who?
“Not violent or…strong?” How does that make sense?
Why should I be “mild?”
Or maybe it does make sense to you. Maybe you understand that the call to meekness is greater and harder than most other things God intends for us.
But do we live it out?
Meekness is more than just treating others well when they treat you well.
It’s forgiving them when they don’t ask.
It’s loving them when they hate you.
It’s giving kindness you will never receive.
It’s taking the brunt of people’s attitudes and not handing it back.
Why?
Because Jesus loves them just as much as He loves you, and His love is so great He died to save them. Just like He died to save you.
Our call is to more than greatness; it’s to meekness.
It’s to yield. It’s to give way to someone else. To give way to Jesus. To let Him work and love through you.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5 ESV