5-23-2025

Good Morning All,

      Matthew 5:5 ““Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

    Jesus is speaking to us in the Sermon on the Mount. In it, he is telling us what believers look and act like. This is more descriptive than prescriptive but even then, some of them might “chafe” a little bit. After all, who wants to be seen as weak and unable to act? At least, that is how the world usually views someone who is meek.

    When we think of meek, it is usually the smaller child in a class who is often bullied and unable to defend himself. We often see the meek as the one who is taken advantage of and used by the strong. Now we see this, and Jesus tells us to be meek, and we struggle with it. Weakness, meekness all sounds the same to us, but it really isn’t. In fact, meekness is a long way from weakness.

    The Greek word used here for meek is “praios.” This word does not mean weak but rather but rather refers to exercising God's strength under His control – i.e., demonstrating power without undue harshness. The word is often used to describe a horse or an ox that listens and obeys its master’s voice and command. This is what we are to be, restrained in our actions. We are not to be harsh or cruel, but we are to be gentle and kind. Perhaps a better analogy is that we are not to be the proverbial “bull in a China Shop.” Our actions, our words, should be measured and proper for the situation.

    Meekness is tied to being a peacemaker. We are to seek to reduce the tension and not to incite it. This is what true meekness is. We have the power and strength. Jesus tells us this in Matthew 28 when he tells his disciples that, “all power on heaven and earth has been given to me.” But how do we use it? The world would have you use it for your own gain and prestige. This is what the disciples thought when James and John wanted to sit on the left and the right hand. It was about power, might and control. Meekness is about knowing who has control (God) and that He will exercise this control as is best.

    Our use of this power is best seen in our service to our neighbor, in how we demonstrate love to others. It is our capacity to see God’s hand at work and then respond as He would have us respond. We hear our Lord’s voice, one calling for compassion, forgiveness, kindness, and healing rather than responding in force of might. We are to reach out with a blend of gentleness (reserve)and strength. Meekness is not weakness but rather it is strength which is measured and controlled.

    Meekness is about service, service as God has called us to live. It is to be constrained by love and compassion and then fully lived out in that fashion. We are to fully love, fully serve, fully live a compassionate life to the benefit of our neighbor. True meekness is about directing strength in the right direction.

Gracious Father, you give us strength to live according to your will. Send your Spirit to encourage us and to lead us to trust your mighty promise. Defend us when we are weak or unsure. Keep us safe in your loving arms. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret