Blessed are the Meek ...

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him.  Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

‘Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
    righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful,
for they will receive mercy.
‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
‘Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for
    righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Setting the Scene:  Remember these points from the Overview and Week 1 study … We are studying the beatitudes, which means “blessing.”  Blessing means “a deep joy in God’s presence.”   At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus gives a series of teachings called the Sermon on the Mount which sets a context for ministry.  In his teachings and with the way he lived his own life, Jesus calls us to live in the kingdom, or under the “reign of God” rather than living under the power of others in the way of the world.   All of the blessings rest upon verse 3, which is about poverty of spirit, or knowing who you are in relation to God …

Jesus tells us we are blessed when we are meek.  The Greek word, praus {prah-ooce'} is translated in scripture most often as “meek.”  However, it can also be translated as gentle or humble.  Here is the way Eugene Peterson translates meekness in his paraphrase, The Message:  being content with just who you are—no more, no less.

There are commentators who argue that these blessings as a whole are eschatological, meaning in the future, at the end of time.   The Greek word, kleronomeo {klay-ron-om-eh'-o} is translated “inherit.”   Hebrew tradition required blood kinship for the transmission of possessions upon the death of the owner.  Looking deeper, “the term inheritance is used in theological contexts to affirm the relationship between God and God’s people.”      (Harper Collins Bible Dictionary, 453)  So … we belong to God, we live under the reign of God, we are children of God!

This blessing embodies “meek-ness,” and we are children of God, so what is our inheritance?   Ge {ghay} which is translated “earth” is the “dwelling place of man.” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament).   In Psalm 37:10 we find a comparable message:  But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.  

We are called quite simply to live in this world under the reign of God! 

Making Connections:   Who are the people in your life that embody the sense of the word “meek?”   When you think of these people what additional words would you use to describe this quality of their life?

Going Deeper:  This week we learn that the meek are blessed!  That doesn’t sound like good news to many of us.  Who in this world wants to be known as “meek and mild.”   For some, the term “doormat” comes to mind.  For some, the word meek is interchangeable with the word “weak.”  There is no way for the meek to get ahead for they are always being taken advantage of.

• What is your initial reaction to the word “meek?”   
• Where does the need to get ahead come from?

And yet, in Matthew 11:29, Jesus says (as translated in older versions) “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.”   In more contemporary versions we hear Jesus say, “I am gentle and humble in heart.”  

• How would you describe Jesus to those who do not know him?
• How have you “taken up the yoke” of Jesus?
• How have you experienced this “rest” that Jesus talks about?

No matter what version you read it in, Jesus clearly identifies himself as a gentle soul.   Good Jewish rabbi that Jesus is, we might wonder if there is a historical role model that Jesus looks up to.  In Numbers 12:3, we read, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.”   Remember Moses’ reluctance to speak to the people when God called upon him?  He seemed to be not only gentle, but he seemed to be weak as well!  And yet, Moses spoke for God and led an entire nation to the brink of the Promised Land.  Underlying this word, meek, we find a quiet strength in the man called Moses.

• How is Jesus like Moses?  
• How and where do they draw their strength?
• How is Jesus different from Moses?  

Pondering:   Human beings like neither meek-ness nor weak-ness, within themselves or in others.  They certainly don’t like weakness in their leaders.  Paul writes to the Church in 2 Corinthians 10:1 saying, “Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.”   This verse may be easier to read in more contemporary language … (CEV) Do you think I am a coward when I am with you and brave when I am far away? Well, I ask you to listen, because Christ himself was humble and gentle.

• How do you feel about the word “coward” to describe meekness?
• What is the relationship between meekness and surrender to God’s will?
• What gives you strength to surrender to God?

Prayer:  There is a song called Mary, Meek and Lowly.  For some, Mary, the Mother of God, is the epitome of surrender to God that emerges not from weakness, but from inner strength.

Mary’s prayer of surrender is called The Magnificat.  Pray this prayer with Maryfrom Luke 1:46-55 as your own prayer of surrender to God with gentleness and meekness:

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and fromnow on all generations will call me blessed.  For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.” Amen.