BLESSED ARE THE MEEK
Matthew 5:5 

This promise to the meek is but a repetition of Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

It is important to point out once again beloved that the Beatitudes are supernatural attributes wrought in our hearts by the grace of God. Meekness is not being docile, nice, or passive. There are some cats and dogs that are docile, nice and passive in comparison to other dogs and cats but they are not meek!  God forbid that we should confuse this powerful and noble character of The Spirit with something that is animal, physical or natural.  D. Martin Lloyd Jones.

The beatitudes assume a new heart, for the natural man does not find the meaning to happiness in life by being poor in spirit or mourning over sin. A man can never be meek unless he is poor in spirit. A man can never be meek unless he mourns over sin. When I have a true view of myself in terms of poverty of spirit and mourning because of my sinfulness, there will be an absence of pride. The meek man is not proud of himself, he does not in any sense glory in himself.  D. Martin Lloyd Jones

A born again Christian is altogether different from the world, for he or she who are in Christ have become a new creation. Beloved, we belong to an entirely different kingdom that Jesus said is not of this world. Therefore, the world cannot understand the way that you live.

Keep in mind that at this point in time in Jewish history, the nation of Israel was not looking for a meek and lowly Messiah, they were looking for a political, military Messiah who would defeat the mighty Roman Empire and restore the kingdom to Israel. Remember that the apostles even asked that question about restoring the kingdom to Israel before Jesus ascended up into heaven? Jesus dismissed their thoughts by being meek and lowly in heart.

THE MEEK are those who are gentle, humble, and unassuming, simple in faith and patient in the face of every affront. Imbued with the precepts of the gospel, they imitate the meekness of the Lord, who says, "Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." Chromatius, Tractate on Matthew

 

Saying meekness is this or that sends you to concepts that are pale copies of reality. Jesus is meekness Incarnate. Jesus is the living reality of meekness Incarnate.

 

A MISUNDERSTANDING ABOUT MEEKNESS.   

• Some people wrongly interpret meekness to mean weakness, or some person who is feeble minded or weak willed, and nothing could be further from the truth because Jesus described Himself as being meek and lowly in heart, and Jesus was anything but feeble minded and weak willed. So meekness should never be understood to mean weakness. Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are the weak.”
• The martyrs throughout the Scriptures and the history of the church were meek, but they were not weak. The meek person may so believe in standing for the truth that he will die for it if necessary.
• A.W. Tozer once wrote, The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself. He has accepted God's estimate of his own life. He knows he is as weak and helpless as God declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels.  
• The very root meaning for the English word "meek" means "to domesticate a wild animal." A God controlled life is a Spirit controlled life that will bring forth the fruit of meekness.   Gal 5.23 Meekness is a fruit of The Holy Spirit. In other words, when a person is operating in meekness, he or she is holding back what they could do or desire to do in order to do what is right in the eyes of The Lord. That is because a person who is truly meek and living for the glory of God has nothing to prove and nothing to protect.

 

Some of the strongest and God glorifying people in Scripture were people who were meek.

• Women like our Lord’s mother Mary, Sarah, Esther or Abigail demonstrated great meekness. 1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
• Moses was a great leader. He stood up to the most powerful leader in the world, Pharaoh Ramses. He led God’s people through the wilderness to the border of the Promised Land.  Numbers 12:3 Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” 
• As we have already stated, the greatest proof of what meekness is God Incarnate, Emmanuel, The Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus could stand up to the winds and the waves. He also chased the moneychangers out of the temple twice with a whip made out of chords. Matthew 11:29 - “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” 

 

Let’s paint a picture of what Christ like, Spirit filled meekness looks like in the life of a disciple. We can paint this portrait by looking at the context of the Scriptures where the word meek or meekness is found.

Meekness is related to gentleness.

• 2Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
• Titus 3:2 To speak evil (slander) of no man, to be no brawlers (peaceable), but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
• A person who is meek will have gentleness about them. They are not punchy, contentious or intimidating.

 

Meekness is related to learning the Word of God.

• James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
• A person that is meek will have a teachable spirit. They will be blessed, not threatened by the truth of God’s Word. They will receive godly correction and reproof as a proof of God’s love for them, not as attack or being mean. They will appreciate it when another brother or sister gives them godly advice or counsel. Ps 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
• A meek person will continue to grow in The Lord, because they are continuing to grow in His Word.

 

Meekness is related to submission to the will of God when being persecuted or falsely accused of something.

• Meekness "rather takes wrong, and suffers itself to be defrauded" (1Co 6:7).
• Meekness "avenges not itself, but rather gives place unto wrath" (Ro 12:19)
• Once again, meekness is acting like Jesus Who, "when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not: but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously" (1Pe 2:23).
• A meek person will lay before God all wrongs and offenses. Like Jesus Christ, the spirit of retaliation will not exist. He will not demand a hearing or justify his or her case. To be meek means that we no longer protect ourselves, nor will we feel sorry for ourself. John Bunyan wrote, the man who is down need not fear a fall.

 

Meekness is manifested by being a servant who submits to the will of God for their life.

• Phil 2.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
• The person who is meek waives his rights or privileges to serve God and others. They lay down their lives for others.  
• Look at the meekness of Jesus taking on the form of a servant as He washes the disciples feet in John 13. The way of meekness is the way of servanthood, which according to Jesus is the exact opposite of how the world defines it.
• Matt 20.25 Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.\
• Brothers and sisters in Christ, meekness is put on display every time we use our time and talents and resources to serve one another for the glory of God.

 

Meekness seeks to restore those who fall. Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual (controlled by The Spirit), restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

• Overtaken in a fault. The Greek for overtaken here does not mean a deliberate sin; but a slip as might come to a man on an icy road or a dangerous path. Thus, there is a great difference in Scripture between presumptuous or deliberate sin and someone being overtaken by sin. You do not plan to go out and break your arm or leg after service today do you, if it happens, it will be an accident or something beyond your control? That’s another study for another day.
• Fraternal correction, or brotherly reproof, is a great duty which Christians mutually owe one to another, when they either run into error, or fall into sin: If any of you be overtaken, restore him. Wm. Burkitt

• The word restore is a medical term that was used to describe the resetting of a broken bone.  Falling and restoration are a part of church life, and how are we to restore those who have been overtaken by sin? With meekness and the realization that I too am weak and in constant need of God’s keeping power in my life.

 

Meekness is vital for evangelism.

• 1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
• 2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.
• We are to contend for the faith without being contentious. We are to speak the truth in love, constantly seeking to be Christ like in all that we say and do. Study how Jesus evangelized in the gospels….He is our great example of being a soul winner.

 

Meekness is vital to life within the body of Christ.

• Ephesians 4:1,2 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;"
• Colossians 3:12  "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;" 

 

Meekness is something that is to be sought diligently.

• Zep 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.

 

THE MEEK “SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.”

• This promise to the meek is but a repetition of Psa 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
• This is not only a promise that will be fulfilled during the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ; it also applies to our lives here on earth, because meekness is associated with contentment. Note, the meek shall inherit the earth not the world and the things of it.
• Philippians 4:11 - “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” 
• We are never more Christ like than when we walk in meekness...it is the wisdom from above…the tenderness to comfort those who are weary and weak….the strength of The Spirit to slay every Goliath…the security to withstand every false accusation….the faith to obey what we do not understand….the supreme desire that Jesus increase and I decrease.

 

CALL PRAISE TEAM TO THE PLATFORM

Look at the meekness on display in the Garden of Gethsemane when He submitted Himself to the will of The Father for Him to die on the cross for our sin.

• Matthew 26:39, 42 - “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt...He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.” 
• To drink the cup means That Jesus submitted Himself to the will of The Father.
• And what was the will of The Father?

Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

·      Jesus offered unto God the only acceptable sacrifice for sins for ever, and to those who call upon Him with a repentant heart, God says that He will write His law upon your heart and mind and your sin and iniquity He will remember no more. NEVER!

·      The man who is meek is the one who is amazed that God can think of him as well as He does and treat Him as gracious as He does. The person who sees no need for Christ’s righteousness and thinks that he or she deserves heaven and can live the Christian life apart from Jesus may be a cultural Christian, but he is not a Christian in the biblical sense. Will you look at the bread and the cup this morning and see Christ dying for your sin on the cross? Will you trust Him today as full atonement for your sin debt ?

o   Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.