View from the Mount of Beatitudes

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Matt.11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (ASV)

Again we see in Jesus the spiritual quality that believers are exhorted to manifest. That equation remains consistent in discipleship and Jesus is our pattern in every area of our lives. The word “meek” in the Sermon on the Mount is the same Greek word in Matthew 11 where Jesus describes Himself. Here we see the glorious paradox inherent in the Godhead. The omnipotent Creator named Jesus is also the loving Redeemer. The judge is also the advocate. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is also the Lamb of God.

And here we find the One who created everything with just a word describing Himself as “meek”. Now in a misguided attempt to protect the character of Jesus many preachers have bent over backwards to diminish the definition and the essence of the word “meek”. They insist that it does not mean Jesus was a doormat or subservient in His life, and in so doing they malign what is a glorious, albeit mysterious, manifestation of God the Son. They even describe Jesus as a “man’s man”, which again brings Him into a human caricature and makes an inapplicable comparison. Many would be offended if Jesus had chosen to be an effeminate man (not gay) because that would undermine their own caricature. In truth, the physicality of the Lord Jesus begins and ends with “in the likeness of sinful flesh”. All other specifics are completely irrelevant.

Meek He was in the broadest sense. He allowed Himself to be spat upon. He presented His back for deep lashing. He road upon a donkey. He was born in some barn. He had no place to live. He forgave those who mocked Him. The word meek seems very shallow and incomplete when used to describe the Incarnate Son. And we are called to cultivate that same meekness within our hearts so deeply enough that the outward fruit of such an inward change is recognizable and without question. Oh how we have lost the desire and power necessary to manifest a life that overflows with the paradoxical power of meekness.

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