The Sermon on the Mount (3)
Notes
Transcript
Today we move on to the next Beatitude in verse five. We see again a statement that goes against the social norms of Jesus day as well as ours. The entire list of Beatitudes can be seen as an paradox, Jesus take the norm and flips it on its head, His list of Kingdom qualities seem foreign to many. As we look at meekness today we will define what it is and what it is not. Again Jesus paints us a picture of what the true believer exemplifies in how they live their life, and He also gives what their reward is for faithfully living out these qualities. Thus far we have talked about being spiritually bankrupt, coming to the end of ourselves and realizing how desperately we need Jesus. We have talked about mourning over our brokenness, the fact that we are sinners, and are comforted by God when we truly come to these understandings. I am going to read through the Beatitudes again and then we will dive into verse five.
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Before we dive into the text we need to define “meek” or “meekness”, some translations say “gentle”. I am going to read you a rather lengthy definition but we will expand on this definition as we move through verse five, so we must keep this in mind as we go.
Meekness Defined
Meekness Defined
The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition (Meekness)
The high place accorded to meekness in the list of human virtues is due to the example and teaching of Jesus Christ. Pagan writers paid greater respect to the self-confident man. However, its roots lie in the OT. The adjective ‘ānāw is usually translated ‘meek’ its basic meaning is ‘poor and afflicted’, from which the spiritual quality of patient submission, humility, is derived, e.g. Pss. 22:26; 25:9; Is. 29:19. Meekness is a quality of the Messianic King (Zc. 9:9) and the theme of Ps. 37:11, ‘the meek shall inherit the earth’ (AV), is repeated by our Lord in the Beatitudes (Mt. 5:5).
In the NT meekness (prautēs and adjective praus) refers to an inward attitude, whereas *GENTLENESS is expressed rather in outward action. It is part of the fruit of Christlike character produced only by the Spirit (Gal. 5:23, AV). The meek do not resent adversity because they accept everything as being the effect of God’s wise and loving purpose for them, so that they accept injuries from men also, knowing that these are permitted by God for their ultimate good (cf. 2 Sa. 16:11). The meekness and gentleness of Christ was the source of Paul’s own plea to the disloyal Corinthians (2 Cor. 10:1). He enjoined meekness as the spirit in which to rebuke an erring brother (2 Tim. 2:25, AV), and when bearing with one another (Eph. 4:2). Similarly, Peter exhorted that the inquiring or arguing heathen should be answered in meekness (1 Pet. 3:15, AV). Supremely meekness is revealed in the character of Jesus (Mt. 11:29, AV; 21:5, AV), demonstrated in superlative degree when he stood before his unjust accusers without a word of retort or self-justification.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
We must understand that meek does not mean weak. it does not mean timid, or shyness. It does not just mean mere niceness. So, we know what the definition says meek is, but how do we know what meek looks like. One word Jesus, He paints us the perfect picture of meekness. Lets Look at a few verses from Psalm 37 to help us understand.
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Jesus trusted in God.
5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.
Jesus was committed to God. He was always submitting to the will of the Father, allowing things to happen in God’s time and according to His plan.
7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Jesus was still before God and waited for Him. Jesus was compassionate, tender, caring, but He also braided a whip and drove people out of the temple. He rebuked the Pharisees. this shows that being meek is not being week. the one who is meek trusts in God.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
Total complete trust in God. The one who is meek has a gentle spirit because they trust in God. At the same time the meek person possess immense strength and self-control which is exhibited by extending love rather than retaliation against those who do evil to them. But they stand up fearlessly in defense of others, or of the truth. approved by God are the meek, they put their trust in Him and allow the Holy Spirit to work through them. How do we become meek, we come to the understanding that we are spiritually bankrupt, and mourn over our sin, then through the power of the Holy Spirit we can become meek. Jesus exemplifies true meekness.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
In Jesus time they would take a young ox and yoke it to an older, experienced ox, so that the older ox may train the younger to perform properly. By bearing the same yoke the younger ox would learn the correct pace, and to heed the directions of the Master. Matthew 11:29.
29 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.
We learn by being yoked to Christ as we surrender our lives to Him for direction. As we have come through these first few Beatitudes you will notice a progression, Jesus’ Kingdom servants are those who recognize they are spiritually bankrupt, they are deeply sorrowful over their sins and bankruptcy, and have begun to humbly respond to the Master.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
The meekness of the true believer grows out of their bankruptcy and their sorrow. We become utterly dependent on Him, clinging to Him. We shall inherit what cannot be bought. This is a look forward to the Kingdom not yet here, when we will reign with Christ. Christ’s inheritance shared with His followers. Another promise for future blessings for those who have come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.
The Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount
We must rise above superficial Christianity. Just because we have good manners and display proper social conventions does not mean we are fulfilling the meekness called for here. It must be a change of the heart, accomplished through the Holy Spirit working in our lives. The world needs to see the strength of meekness in our lives, the willingness to put our lives on the line for others, and also to stand for the truth. They need to see Jesus in and through us. When we stand on the truth of God’s word, deeply desiring people to come to a saving knowledge of Him our meek spirit can be seen in His power. So, let me ask you are you showing the world the meekness of Jesus in your life, are you pointing the world to Him by your actions. In a world full of retaliation it is our duty as Christians to exemplify Christ through our meekness. Do all of our actions point people to God, or are we just like the world quick to retaliate, pointing people to the world no the Creator of the world.