Devotion #3 – Matthew 5:5

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Installment three of Jesus’ famous Beatitudes shifts the attention from an inner focus on man’s complete depravity and a proper attitude of how a true follower of Christ mourns over sin in response, to a quality that frankly is one of the most misunderstood of all the Beatitudes—meekness. It is simply not a quality we commonly reference in culture, yet its fingerprint can be found among the Mount Rushmore of character attributes. For instance, we can wrap our minds around what it means to be humble, gentle, patient, forgiving and content, yet do we understand what meekness truly entails? Rest assured that meekness carries more weight than all of these, because when combined they give us a glimpse into the mystery of meekness. In a simplistic sense, meekness is a quiet strength, under control and without self-motivations. A man of meekness is mild-mannered, not easily irritated or provoked, and submissive to God’s divine will and purposes. He does not elevate himself over another, but yields by choice for he is content with his lot, whatever that may be. More importantly, he is not proud or intent on pursuing his own ambitions but humble and willing to accept the lowest position. He views himself honestly and without bias which expresses itself in his attitude and conduct with respect to others. In other words, meekness cannot be fabricated. It is measured by one’s thoughts and actions and sifted through a colander of self-idolatry. Yet in the purest sense, meekness cannot be compartmentalized from pride. Like oil and water, they do not mix. Therefore a man must concede that if he desires to attain the blessing Jesus promises to those who are meek, he must slay the dragon of pride within his heart. Scripture declares, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,” therefore “humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you” (James 4:6,10). Be ever vigilant to heed the warning that “the Lord tears down the house of the proud” (Proverbs 15:25), but that “the reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). Allow the truth of God’s Word to wash over your heart and cleanse you from all self-righteousness. Only then will you be able to discern God’s will for your life as a man of meekness. What we fail to recognize is that there is infinite power in meekness. Jesus Christ was the epitome of meekness which should come as an encouragement to those who assume that meekness = weakness. Jesus was all-powerful, fully man and fully God but subservient to the will of the Father. He is our ultimate example of meekness. The apostle Paul summarizes the meekness of Christ this way: “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:1-11). Just as Jesus did not count equality with God as something you or I can grasp, neither still can meekness be completely understood. It is almost too big a concept to understand, let alone apply. But for those who claim the name of Jesus Christ as their only salvation, meekness is where the rubber meets the road. It is the outpouring of a changed heart within a depraved world. It is 100% counter-culture, just like the man who epitomized its definition, but in reality is our true test of Biblical application in our lives. You cannot fake meekness—its construct simply doesn’t allow it. But the more you die to your own selfish ambitions and embrace the role of a servant, immersed in an attitude of contentment in Christ and His provision, the more you will see the fruit of meekness break forth in your life. You don’t have to abandon your masculinity to be meek. Quite the opposite! Embrace God’s design for true masculinity and examine the behaviors of Christ, then begin applying your new-found meekness within your marriage and how you parent your children, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your path in humility as you die to self.