By: Scott Adkins, Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Carter County Times
Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Last time, we talked about those “who mourn,” in Matthew 5:4. This week, we progress to the third Beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” (Matthew 5:5.); and (Psalms 37:11). But what was Jesus talking about in Matthew 5:5? Going back again to the original Greek, we find Matthew used the Greek word, praeis, which means not weakness but rather exercising God’s strength under His control – i.e., demonstrating power without undue harshness. Paul refers to “the meekness and gentleness of Christ,” in II Corinthians 2:10. And in II Timothy 2:24, Paul also instructs that all Christians “[t]he servant of the Lord must be… gentle unto all men[.]” But, what must we do and be to stand among those who shall inherit the earth, as:
The Meek?
Numbers 12:3 tells us “Moses was very meek, above all men which were upon the fact of the earth.” Wow. So, maybe looking at Moses’s life and ministry can provide clues to what we must do and be to stand among the meek, who Jesus promised, will “inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5). We find Moses constantly interceded for the rebellious folks he led into the wilderness. For example, when Miriam spoke a word against Moses (Numbers 12:1), the Lord “heard it,” (Numbers 12:3), and rewarded Miriam with leprosy (Numbers 12:10). What did Moses do? Did he parade around the camp laughing at Miriam or go around smugly saying, “See, the Lord is on my side!”?
No, he did not. Instead, Moses “cried unto the Lord, saying heal [Miriam] now.” (Numbers 12:13). In Numbers chapter 16, several prominent men in the camp challenged Moses’s and Aaron’s leadership. (Numbers 16:1-3). But again, what did Moses do? Did he curse them? No, Numbers tells us that “when Moses heard it, he fell on his face.” (Numbers 16:4).
Or how about the Lord Jesus Christ? When Judas and his cabal came to arrest Jesus, we remember what Peter did: drew his sword and cut-off a fellow’s ear. (Matthew 26:51). Jesus’s response? He told Peter to sheath his sword, and then asked Peter, don’t you think I can ask the Father for twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 25:52-53). But did the Lord Jesus summon angels to deliver Him from Pilate and Calvary? Nope. Remember, the Bible tells us that God gave Jesus “the Spirit without measure.” (John 3:34). Yet, despite possessing power to still storms; raise the dead; cast out devils; and heal every disease, what did the Lord Jesus do?
He humbled Himself to death on the cross, (Philippians 2:8), the excruciating death of a criminal. That’s what Jesus means by “meek” in Matthew 5:5 — subjecting yourself to God’s will and Word — no matter how much prestige or knowledge you think you possess. Subject yourself to the Lord and “receive with meekness the engrafted word that is able to save your souls,” (James 1:21), so that, one day, you might “inherit the earth.”
