The third of Jesus’ statements about “blessedness” (happiness) is - “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). And once again, Jesus is turning expectations on their head. He’s speaking to a crowd of Jewish people, who have their sights set on a “Messiah”. One who would ‘deliver them’ from their political and social circumstances.
So, this must have been puzzling, confusing, ‘crazy talk’ for them to hear. They didn’t want meekness or gentleness. They wanted ‘macho’ and they wanted it Braveheart style. And it’s true for us. Not much of our political, social and economic world values ‘meekness’. It’s seen as weakness!
The good news is, a deeper understanding of ‘meekness’ is ‘strength under control’ or ‘courage under fire’. It’s ‘conviction’ but with a gentle spirit that comes from the infusion of God’s spirit and God’s strength in our lives. May God bless you with meekness.
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