On Our Meekness

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

As the listing of the beatitudes progresses, we see a shift from a focus on typically unchosen realities (poverty, mourning), to core values that are more self-imposed and that shape our overall character—meekness, righteousness, mercifulness, virtuousness, and peace making. Meekness, the third mentioned beatitude, is somewhere in the middle, encompassing those of meek social standing aforementioned by Jesus and those who practice meekness.

In the middle portion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus focuses on how two different groups of people go about the common spiritual disciplines of giving alms, prayer, and fasting. (Matthew 6:1-21) This is more than a lesson on healthy righteousness (the next beatitude I will write about), it is also about the fundamental character of two different groups of people—the meek and the mighty. The meek are those who give, pray, and fast in secret. The mighty, meanwhile, do these seemingly good actions (and all their acts for that matter) with great gusto and performance.

Jesus says that the mighty have “received their reward”. That reward being earthly recognition, respect, power, and authority. The meek though seek a greater reward through their humble, quiet lifestyle. Jesus describes the attributes of the meek, towards which all Christ-followers should aspire, as those of forgiveness, tolerance, and acceptance. (Matthew 5:33-5:48, 6:25-7:5)

While the mighty make their claims on the earth right now, the meek wait patiently for the earth to become theirs. Not for their own sake, of course; it is for the sake of the great cause for which they give, pray, and fast. Their cause is the Eternal Kingdom of God, coming into full glory on the earth they so greatly love.

This beatitude does not say the meek inherit some far off heavenly realm. They inherit the earth. The place that is their home, yet where they have often been sidelined and ignored—called “pushovers” and countless other derogatory terms—while the mighty have had their way. Their greater reward is a future world order flipped on its head. Where weapons and wealth are no longer the definition of great status. Where peace and prosperity is shared among all equally. It is a beautiful vision they work so quietly for, for so long.