"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."
Matthew 5:5
The “blessed” or “happy” believer, is one who exhibits the trait of “meekness.” Adam Clarke the commentator, explains the origin of the English word “meek.” It is related to the Anglo-Saxon word “meca, or meccea.”1 The old timers used this word to describe someone who is your equal. This person has a gentle, or “meek” spirit and they are always ready to fellowship with anyone who fears God. This person does not care how lowly their companion is because he never feels superior to anyone. In times past this is what the English word “gentlemen” meant. The meek believer knows that all that he is a gift from the Lord, and he deserves nothing from God.
In the New Testament the word “meek” means “mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness.”2 The meek believer is a patient believer, even when being mistreated by others. This is a quality that stands out in our Lord’s behavior when He was going to the cross.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered,
he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his
own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed,” (1 Peter 2:21-
24).
We need to understand that “meekness” has nothing to do with “weakness.” The old saying, “She is meek as a mouse,” has it all wrong. In fact as you study the life of Jesus you see that He is mentally, spiritually, physically, and socially strong (Luke 2:52). No one pushed Jesus around, and He certainly was not passive! We see no “weakness” in Jesus, and when He went to the cross He “committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.” As the old Gospel song says, “He could have called ten-thousand angels to destroy the world and set Him free.” But He did not! He chose to meekly submit to His Father’s plan for our redemption, and to die as our substitute. So “meekness” is not “weakness,” but rather—“power under control!”
So the “meek” believer is not “out of control,” but “in control” of his faculties. The believer willingly submits his life, his plans, his will, to his Lord. By the way, the “meek” believer also submits himself to his earthly authorities as Jesus did to His.
Oh believing friend, it is here that our thinking wanders and we are tempted to think that being “meek” like Jesus just isn’t going to be worth it. If we do this everyone will get ahead of us and we’ll always draw the short straw! Not true! Please read the rest of the verse. “For they shall inherit the earth.” God has already thought it all through. He will protect your interests. He will provide for your need. He will love and care for you! And when this life is over, there is Heaven with Him!
Do you trust your Lord enough to be like Him in this area of “meekness?”
1. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, electronic version in eSword.
2. Thayer’s Greek Definitions, electronic version in eSword.