The Meek Ones

Greeting

Isaiah 2:3 ESV

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.

Welcome to the Baker Heights Church of Christ, just a body of imperfect believers reaching out to God to save us. We trust God to do more than we need and way more than we can do. So we gather today as the mountain of the Lord to worship, praise, and adore the only God—Father, Son, and Spirit. We give a heartfelt welcome to our visitors in person and online. Please hit that QR code to connect with us.

Grabber

Kevin C. Powell of McCordsville, IN. Hannah Rapp of College Station, TX. Dion Armstrong of Milwaukee, WI. David Whiting of Alberquerque, NM, Jorge Sanchez of Balch Springs, TX, Luke Sherman of O’Fallon, MO. What brings these people together? They all died in the last two months as victims of what psychologists call IED, or Intermittent Explosive Disorder, more commonly known as road rage. Analysts say aggression on highways is increasing with over 350 annual deaths from road rage.

How does a non-personal, non-lethal interaction escalate into murder? We are taught by society that I matter more than others. My thoughts, ideas, opinions, time, resources are more important than anyone else’s ideas, opinions, or time. In other words, selfishness. Selfishness breeds rage and intermittent explosive disorder.

How does that fit into kingdom living? Where does it fit into Jesus’ picture of a happy life?

Introduction

As Jesus teaches on the kingdom, he lays down eight foundational principles for Christian Living that we call the Beatitudes. It begins with humility and contrition over our sin. Blessed are the poor in spirit and blessed are those that mourn.

In this same vein, the third beatitude builds on the humility of the first two, Matthew 5:5 ““Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Meekness is a forgotten quality—maybe the very nature of the quality. Yet, to Jesus it is integral to Christian living.

Traditionally, we have heard “Meekness is not weakness,” but true meekness is so much more. Let’s turn our attention to the meekness Jesus wants to see in his kingdom citizens.

Discussion

The Character: Meekness (Matt 5:5)

Matthew 5:5 ESV

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Meekness has been called “Strength under control.” Πραΰς means not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentle, humble, considerate, meek. It is having power or strength, but not having to demonstrate that power, but keeping it in check.

Numbers 12:3 “Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” When we consider Moses, we think of a fighter, a law giver, a leader, but what made him so meek?

Valor. His used strength to protect others (Exo 2:12), and defend God’s reputation (The Egyptians will hear (Num 14:13-14)

Trust. When attacked, he let God defend him (Aaron and Miriam Num 12:2; Korah, Dathan, & Abiram Num 16)

Mediator. He interceded for others (For Aaron and the Calf Exodus 32:31–32; The people refused to go into the land Num 14:13-19; Miriam after her rebellion Num 12:13)

The higher Moses’ position rose, the more natural it would be for him to exert his power and authority, yet Moses refused to retaliate against those who caused him personal injury. It is inconceivable that Moses would be caught up in road rage.

Jesus drew attention to his meekness Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle (meek) and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Jesus too protected the image of God, defended the weak and marginalized, and refused to defend himself against insult and abuse. He took the hit time and again. Isaiah 53:7 “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.”

Self-assertion is never depicted as a Christian virtue, and if we keep our power, pride, and self in check to the will of God, blessings await us.

The Consequence: The Earth (Matt 5:5)

Matthew 5:5 ESV

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Jesus promises the meek shall inherit the earth. This is a quote from Psalm 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”

Written by King David toward the end of his life “when he gat no heat.”

LXX uses the same words for “meek,” “inherit,” and “land” that Jesus uses in Matt 5:5. No one legitimately contends Jesus does not at least have David’s promise in mind.

David’s meaning:

He is not talking about the children of Israel inheriting the land promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:7 “To your offspring I will give this land.”) and repeated to Jacob (Genesis 26:4–5). A promise God fulfilled (Joshua 21:43 “Thus the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there.”) David’s meaning is clearly future.

He could be talking about the repatriation ofter the Babylonian Exile. However, David’s prophetic sayings usually refer to the Messiah or to the eternal abode. It would be odd for his to refer to such a temporary event as the exile.

Most likely, David is referring to the eternal abode of man with God—heaven.

Jesus’ meaning: Two Ideas

In the last one hundred years, many people understand Jesus’ use of “earth” to mean something like “heavenly land” or “heavenly earth.” In this way, the word γης would mean “dwelling place.” The general idea is that Jesus is referring to heaven as an ethereal realm of mists and spirits. However, this is a relatively new concept.

Prior to that, many people connected the “earth” to “the new heaven, and new earth” prophesied by Isaiah 66:22 ““For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.” And picked up by Peter 2 Peter 3:13 “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” This seems to be John’s understanding in Revelation 21:1–4 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.”

It is an interesting debate that is being discussed in the church. But in the end, the important thing is both sides see the “earth” as the place where God will dwell with the saved. Whether that is an ethereal heaven, an renovated earth, or a re-created new earth, I want to be there.

Application

Whatever we understand about the “earth” in Matt 5:5, everyone agrees it is an inheritance to be desired to bring ultimate happiness, but it is reserved for the meek.

Obviously, meekness avoids Intermittent Explosive Disorder—screaming, yelling, fighting, shoving, road rage, etc. Psychologists say IED often runs in families leading some to wonder about a genetic disposition. Others believe it is learned behavior. Children watch their parents and learn explosive behavior. Nature or nurture, it doesn’t matter. Jesus is telling Kingdom Citizens to make the effort to shut down outbursts—that’s meekness in action.

Outbursts of anger are easy. It takes no effort to be angry at offense. However, meekness takes resolve, choice, and power. Meekness isn’t weakness; it’s real strength.

We can show meekness…

By choosing peace Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

By practicing meditation Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:97 “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

By embracing humility James 4:10 “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

By demonstrating self-control 2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

By giving God the right of vengeance Romans 12:19 “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

So, What?

Don’t be lazy in your emotional control, rather choose meekness to find true happiness.