“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
“He was opposed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)
“Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and He will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” – Jesus (Matthew 26:52,53)
“…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)
This third beattitude can easily be misunderstood. In today’s language the word “meek” is associated with “weakness”. A meek person is seen as a doormat…someone who is powerless or lacks the courage to stand up for themselves. This word in the Scripture is not that at all. One of the greatest leaders in the Bible, Moses, was described as the meekest man on the earth (Numbers 12:3). The word used here is also translated as “humble” or “gentle” or “selfless”. It more accurately is the character trait of humilty that willingly puts aside one’s power or right for the good of another. So, it is actually a strength not a weakness.
Jesus, of course, exhibited this as He went to the cross for us. He chose to endure the shame and the humiliation for our sake…on our behalf. The Prophet Isaiah describes the Messiah as a lamb being led to the slaughter, but He does not resist. Jesus reminded His own disciples in the garden that he had the power to end this if He chose. “He could have called ten thousand angels” we sing. But, He didn’t.
Paul describes the meekness of Jesus in the verses of Philippians 2, “…obedient to the point of death”. The meekness that Jesus talks about here in the Sermon on the Mount is the same meekness He demonstrated when He went to the cross and it is the same meekness He calls us to live out as His disciples.
It doesn’t take much to connect humility to the cross of Jesus. The cross was designed by the Romans specifically for the purpose of humiliaton and shame. It was not only a slow and cruel death…it was a public display. Crucifixion was seen by everyone. There was no “crucifixion facility” where family and close friends were witness to the excecution. It was done on the roadside near the entrance of the city…preferrably on an elevated hill. The reason for such an R-rated public scene was simple…humiliation and shame.
But Jesus, in His “meekness”, powerfully endured the that humiliation for us. The writer of Hebrews says, “…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame…” (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus was beaten and paraded through the streets to a hillside near an entrance to the city. There He was nailed to a cross and taunted by His own people. How did He do it? He could have ended it but He didn’t.
There is a certain strength to “meekness”. When you are certain about who you are and you are sure about what you are doing there is a strength that allows you to put the needs of others ahead of your own. It frees you from the need to prove to everyone how great you are.
Today, think about what Jesus did for you at the cross. This powerful act of “meekness” has made a way for you to experience His grace today. What ways can you demonstrate meekness today?
“Blessed are the meek…”