Blessed are the Meek

Jesus serves as our primary example for meekness, for he truly is “meek and lowly in heart”. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit of God (see Galatians 5:23) and a required characteristic for one who would be a true disciple of Christ. The word “Meek” appears only four times in the New Testament. Here in our Text, and twice speaking of Christ in Matthew 11:29 and 21:5, and once in I Peter 3:4 where it speaks of “a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price”. Meekness is mentioned in twelve verses in the New Testament. To be “Meek” literally means to have “a mildness of disposition or a gentleness of spirit” which is often characterized by “patience and long-suffering”.

1. Meekness is Kin to Humility, Lowliness, Gentleness, and Long-Suffering.

A. Meekness with Lowliness - see Mat. 11:28-29 see Eph. 4:1-2

B. Meekness with Gentleness – see II Cor. 10:1, see Titus 3:2

C. Meekness with Patience – see II Tim 2:24-25

2. Meekness is Kin to these characteristics, But is not the same thin.

Paul wrote in Col. 3:12 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; --“.

** Meekness is a distinct characteristic from kindness, humility and longsuffering.

3. The FACT that Meekness follows first two Beatitudes – “poor in spirit” or humility, and “mourning” which comes from a broken and contrite heart, seems to imply that Meekness is a separate spiritual “By-Product” of these two characteristics – i.e. they produce Meekness.

4. The World would say this Beatitude is “Most Illogical” – The World claims that Success (Gain) comes thru Strength and Aggressive Action. The World would claim that if one is to “Inherit the Earth” he must be Strong not Meek. Conquerors, Generals, Warriors have never been Meek.

5. Contrary to “worldly definition” found in some dictionaries, in the Biblical sense, meekness does not mean to be “deficient in spirit and courage”. Meekness is not Weakness.

* Meekness Is Not Weakness in God’s Hands.

* The Earth under consideration is Not Material Wealth - see Matt 16:26

* Spiritual Truth is Foolishness to the World - see I Cor. 1:18, 2:14

* Meekness = difficult to explain – Like Humility, one does not brag about it.

6. Meekness is to be Pliable as clay or putty in the Hand of God

I. Meekness is NOT Weakness. Weakness of Mind and Will grows from a Love of Ease and a Desire Not to Get Involved – Weakness often seen in Irresponsibility.

A. Failure to Confront Problems – A Lack of Action is Not Meekness

1. ELI is a good Example of Weakness – see I Sam. 3:11-13

2. The Corinthian Church concerning discipline another - see I Cor. 5:1-6

B. MOSES was a Meek Man – see Num. 12:3

1. Moses Confronted Sin at Mt. Sinai - see Exodus 32:19-20

C. JESUS Confronted the Moneychangers in the Temple - see Matt 21:12-13

D. STEPHEN Preached to Unbelievers - see Acts 7:51-60

II. Meekness IS the Opposite of Self-Will Toward God, and Ill-Will Toward Men

Cp to Being Clay in the Potters Hand - see Rom. 9:20

A. JESUS prayed, “Not my will but thine” - see Matt 26:38-42 see John 18:11

1. Jesus was LED (not dragged) as a Lamb to his death - see Isa. 53:7

2. The Hebrew word Brought same as Led - see Matt. 26:57, 27:2, 27:31

3. When Reviled, He Reviled Not - see I Peter 2:21

B. JOB Demonstrated Meekness - see Job 1:13-22, 2:7-10

C. PAUL taught Meekness - see II Cor. 11:24-31 w/ II Tim 2:24

1. When converted he asked – “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

D. Following the teachings of Christ requires Meekness – see Matt 5:38-42

III. What then is the Meaning of “They Shall Inherit The Earth” -- Spiritual Understanding comes by comparing spiritual things to spiritual truth.

A. We Are Not of This World – see John 17:9-16

1. We are NOT to love the World or the Things of the world – see I John 2:15

2. Friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God – see James 4:4

B. This present world or Earth is to pass away – see II Peter 3:10-13

** “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness”.

C. Heaven and Immortal Glory is Our Eternal Home - see John 14:1-3 see I Peter 1:3-5 see I Thess. 4:13-18

D. In Matthew 5:5 Jesus Quotes Psalms 37:11 “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace”. *** This Inheritance can have a Threefold Application

1. Spiritual = Content in the Peace of God - see John 14:27

2. Literal = As Joint Heirs IN Christ = Possess All Things – see Romans 8:17

3. Figuratively = the Earth could represent the Land or Canaan in the O.T.

Canaan was a figure of The N.T. Church (Canaan was not a figure of heaven since Moses and Aaron never made it into Canaan).

IV. Different Views of what “the earth” IS in Matthew 5:5

A. Some see this Inheritance as the “New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness” – see II Peter 3:13 and Rev. 21:1

1. It seems to me that ALL of God’s elect will be glorified to inherit this earth.

B. Some see this Inheritance as the “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” OR the Church Kingdom on Earth.

1. It seems to me that “the holy city, new Jerusalem” in Rev. 21:2 has both an eternal and a timely aspect to it.

2. Eternal Glory is INHERITED by those who are “joint heirs” with Christ.

3. The true N.T. Church is not inherited by ALL of God’s elect – since entrance thereto is through “the straight gate and the narrow road” and “few there be that find it”. Entering the true N. T. Church surely requires meekness.