But first, more background material. If the Lord Jesus was behaving like the Jewish rabbi of His day, He was probably seated as He taught. That isn’t to say that He behaved like the Jewish rabbis – perhaps He was standing, just as I am. Personally, I find it difficult to teach a group of people of more than three or four without standing, but that is probably simply out of habit. Assuming Christ was seated, the question becomes – was he seated down-hill or up-hill from His disciples. He might have been above them, looking down at them, or below them, looking up at them. With no particular reason or cause, that is the way that I picture them. The Lord Jesus was seated on a rock in the midst of a small, natural amphitheater looking slightly upwards toward a couple of rows of disciples.
Again I stress that His hearers were disciples – people who were already children of God by faith in Christ. There were redeemed, regenerated, and striving to glorify God by learning from and serving the Saviour. They were as we should be. They were hungry and thirsty after righteousness – not considering themselves to be already perfect. And they were meek, not thinking to themselves that they already knew how the Christian life was supposed to be lived. “We know that thou art a teacher come from God,” and “we are willing to completely wipe-clean and reformat our mental and spiritual hard drives and to receive what we need to hear.”
These beatitudes, and the rest of the three chapters of this sermon, were directed to Christians. As I have said, and as I will undoubtedly repeat myself several times, this is not a gospel message. It is not teaching anyone how to become a saint of God. It is not by striving to implement these precepts in order that we might gain favor with God. It is not by successfully applying these things to our lives that we unlock the doorway to Heaven.
Well then, in that light, what exactly is this sermon telling us? Basically, it is describing what the kingdom of Heaven is to be like. Without ever using the word, it is telling us what sort of rules will be in place after Christ comes to establish His earthly Millennial Kingdom. And in some ways it is describing what eternity will be like. Some of these verses, such as the one we are looking at tonight, describe the hearts of the children of God at the time of their translation and glorification. But more practically, since the Kingdom of Heaven is not simply a figment of God’s imagination, or merely a change of government which is yet to come, these are the rules of the Kingdom of God under which we live today. You could say that these are things which God expects to find in His subjects at this very moment.. And to some degree they are a part of every saint of God. If we are not fully obeying and enjoying these things right now, then they had better be things which are becoming more and more a part of our lives as we move ever closer to that day of translation and glorification.
For example, can you be classified as a meek individual? I say in all kindness, I”m afraid that many of us are not. Despite what you might think of yourself, we have a long way to go to reach the ideals that the Lord is setting before us.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Immediately, we are confronted with a problem of perception. This is quite often true as we study God’s Word, but more often than not, we don’t see it so clearly as we do here. We are tempted to read verse 5 as, “Blessed are the weak… No matter how we read the rest of the verse, many people get the first part all wrong. “Blessed are the weak; for the weak shall be given the earth.” Or “Blessed are the weak; for they shall become doormats.” But that is not what the Saviour was saying. Even though the words rhyme, “weak” and “meek” are not synonyms. The Greek word means “gentle,” “considerate,” “of a mild disposition” and “courteous.” Here is the definition as found in Strong’s Concordance – “Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the Old Testament, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will.” In some of the non-Biblical literature of Jesus’ day we have the same Greek word – a wild stallion that has been tamed and brought under control, is described as “meek” or “gentle.” Carefully chosen words that soothe strong emotions are referred to as “gentle” words. Ointment which takes the fever and sting out of a wound is called “meek” or “gentle.”
I don’t often quote Lloyd-Jones, but another man whom I respect does, so Jones might be right this time – “Meekness is essentially a true view of oneself, expressing itself in attitude and conduct with respect to others…. The man who is truly meek is the one who is truly amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do. This makes him gentle, humble, sensitive, and patient in all his dealings with others.”
Have you thought about the fact that this beatitude comes between “they that mourn” and “hungering and thirsting after righteousness.” It follows, and does not precede, “the poor in Spirit.” Is there anything suggested in the order of these beatitudes? Some people think so. Notice that it is comparatively easy for Christians to be honest and acknowledge themselves to be sinners. But it is quite another thing to meekly and passively allow other people to tell them that they are sinners. It is easy for Christians to accept the general statements that all men are sinners, even the saved of God. But it is something else to react submissively when someone points out specific sins in our personal lives. “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.”
What the Lord is saying is that the Christian may be a person of strong faith, strong emotions, and strength in a hundred other areas, but he will keep that strength under control, being calm and peaceful when surrounded by a heated atmosphere. This Christian won’t stir strong emotions in others, but will sooth those who are angry. And when he is charged with sin or error, his reaction will not be an immediate vigorous defense, but a humble submission to that possibility. Knowing himself to be a sinner saved by grace, he will be gracious and courteous towards everyone else around him. As the Lord Jesus said elsewhere, “Come unto me, all ye that labour 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.”
There is no more perfect illustration of a meek individual than Christ Jesus. We are told that Moses was also meek, but he wasn’t as consistent in his meekness as Christ. When did the Lord Jesus ever lash out in His own defense against the attacks of the enemy? He could have resisted like a bear being dragged to the cross, but He went meekly like a lamb. There has never been a more meek individual that our Lord Jesus. And He wants us to be more like Himself.
Let’s say that there is a man who attends our church from time to time. He has heard a message from us concerning the King James Version of the Bible, and that since it comes from the Textus Receptus, it is the Word of God – while His New International Version is corrupt. But that man refuses to give up his NIV and even argues with you about it. How likely are you to loose your temper with him, to raise your voice, or to stomp away from him, when he will not listen to reason? Highly unlikely, right? because you are one of the Lord’s meek. Does II Timothy 2:24-25 apply to you or is it just to me. “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
Turning around an illustration that I have often used – You believe that a wind-chime is a remnant of idolatry and superstition, because in some cultures they are thought to be used to ward off demons. How will you respond when I tell you that I like wind-chimes and your idea is silly and petty? Several of you believe very strongly that the celebration of Christmas is heathen and idolatrous. Others believe very strongly that the incarnation is something which needs to be emphasized in this ungodly and secular world – especially at this time of year when the subject is so abused. People on both sides of the issue have every right to defend their point of view. But how many can do it with meekness without losing their patience or their tempers? There are many issues which you think are clearly outlined in the scriptures, but other good saints see them differently in the Bible. How about the remarriage of someone who has been the victim of adultery? What is the likelihood of you being gentle and meek as you discuss those things?
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
In Matthew 11, Jesus said that these meek will find rest unto their souls, and here He says that they will inherit the earth. Of course the world and perhaps even our hearts tell us just the opposite. Only the bold, the brave, and the brash get ahead in this world. The meek are trampled by the self-motivated and persevering. The earth belongs to the lions and not to the lambs. But remember that the earth is a part of the dominion of the Kingdom of Heaven; Jehovah is its true King. And just because Matthew 5:5 appears to be ludicrous in this adulterous and sinful society, don’t let appearances fool you. What Christ says here is not a natural development, where the gentle will gradually begin to rule and the strong are slowly subjugated. Of what Christ was speaking is a divine and even miraculous development.
And it isn’t something new which Christ Jesus pulled out of the air to share with his astonished disciples. Turn to Psalm 37:1-11 – “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”
As we close for today, consider a contrast – From all outward appearance, it seems as though the wicked always win out. The dirtiest, meanest ball player gets the fat contract and the most notoriety. The worst politician is elected, as he uses the most disgusting tactics to defeat his opponent. The wicked prosper in their way; their schemes work; their cheating and lying and unfair treatment of others appear to pay off. They just seem to get richer and more and more powerful.
But God says that it won’t be forever. The ultimate victory will not belong to the wicked. But at this point the Christian must be very, very careful. Remember that it is not your meekness, gentleness, and courteousness which will carry the day. In fact your meekness will have nothing to do with you – it is all about Christ. Christ will be the ultimate victor. The only reason why the meek shall inherit the earth, is because of their Godly relationship to Christ.
And what exactly is your relation to Christ? How closely do you resemble the Lord Jesus? How many of His character traits are found in you?