A Kingdom for the Meek
For Meditation (corey Widmer)
Of qualities that we aspire to possess, "meekness" is not usually on our list. It carries negative connotations for many, suggesting someone who is weak, timid, and maybe even a little pathetic.
But in the biblical context, that is clearly not what it means. Paul appeals to his friends in Corinth "by the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:1), and Jesus refers to himself as meek in Matthew 11:29. Jesus was meek, but he was certainly not weak ! He calmed storms, cast out demons, flipped over tables, and broke the back of death. No, meekness is not weakness. It is, rather, those who are afflicted, but who have surrendered to God and lovingly trust in God's timing and justice. You could say that the meek are the calmly surrendered.
To the meek, Jesus promises the "earth." In our world, it is the aggressive, the pushy, and the powerful who get the most real estate (literally and figuratively). But in the Kingdom of Jesus, it is not the takers but the receivers who in the end get everything. The posture of the victors in the Kingdom of Jesus is not grasping hands but open hands, ready to receive what God delights to give by grace.
As you prepare for worship, read Psalm 37 and reflect on its words. It is from this Psalm that Jesus lifted this beatitude!
Matthew 5:1–5
1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.