Meekness

      One does not have to be told that there is a large misconception of meekness within our world today. The greatest starting point in understanding meekness is made by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the gentle (meek), for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Our purpose is to better define the character of meekness, the role it plays within every Christian’s life, and explain the manner in which these will inherit the earth.

Let us consider the picture of a horse as an example of meekness. As one looks at a horse, he is mesmerized by the sheer strength held within this large animal. The horse’s muscles protrude from under its skin to display an animal of raw brute strength, but once the bit is placed within its mouth and the horse is tamed to the rider’s demands, this raw strength becomes a perfect example of meekness. The horse shows meekness through its willingness to use its strength under the control of its rider. This is a similar picture that should be received from every Christian. We are given the freewill to live however desired, but upon answering the gospel call and putting on the yoke of Christ, a person is being tamed and has his strength under the control of the boundaries of the gospel (Matthew 11:28-30). This is not a sign of weakness or a loss of personal freedom, but rather an example of placing the kingdom of God before the fleshly desires of this earth (Matthew 6:33).

One misconception of meekness and the entire section of the beatitudes is that these characteristics are not demands of every Christian. We will hear people use the excuse that some people are born with a meekness type mentality, but as for me, “I am a man’s man.” Let us not underestimate ourselves concerning these traits being something that is just instinct for some people. Being “poor in spirit,” “mournful,” “merciful,” and “meek” are things that every citizen of the kingdom of heaven must constantly work on in their lives. The call of the beatitudes is for us to all realize our inadequacies and look to God and His word as the solution to make us whole. Is this not the solution given within the fifth characteristic, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…” (Matthew 5:6)

Our final point is to gain better understanding to the meaning of the meek inheriting the earth. The meek inheriting the earth is not a literal giving of all the earth to those who are meek, but rather the giving of blessings. A meek person does not desire to gain the entire world physically, but to simply have the necessitates of life that enables his journey onward to heaven. He will acknowledge the Giver of all good things and be thankful for all the spiritual and physical blessings obtained through Christ (James 1:17; Ephesians 1:3). One should constantly pray to never be worried about things on this earth; one should focus on heaven. Our prayer every day should be for us to be better Christians by the application of the traits contained within the beatitudes.  ~Colby Junkin