Meek

MATTHEW 5:5 God blesses those who are meek, For they shall inherit the earth (NKJV). The Message translation reads, “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are – no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourself, yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought” (MSG).

In some translations, you will find “meek” as meaning mildness, gentleness of spirit or simply being humble. Meekness is a wonderful example of humility in how Jesus must have been seen through the eyes of those He touched while on the earth. In our time, meekness is having humility towards God and gentleness towards others. The Apostle Paul affirms this characteristic

when he tells us how we should continue live our lives.

EPHESIANS 4:1-2 I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, and with patience, bearing with one another in love (NET Bible).

For those who believe in Christ, we are called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with humility and gentleness.

1 PETER 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (NIV).

When I was a teenager, I remember a “sidewalk pastor” who “preached” outside of the pharmacy where I worked. He always scared me because he was constantly yelling words from the Bible. It made a huge impression on me, and hearing him, made me think that God must have been a very powerful, angry man. Oh dear friends, that is far from truth! God was born into this world in a manger, humbled himself to mankind even unto death, and was crucified on an old rugged cross for you and me – Jesus Christ is the greatest known example of true humility then, now, and forevermore.

PHILIPPIANS 2:6-8 When the time came, he set aside privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death and the worst kind of death at that – a crucifixion (MSG).

© Lee Gossett 2015