Why Will The Meek Inherit The Earth?
LENT 2023 | DAY 1
Matthew 5:1-5 (NIV)
(Aw Choon Hui, Lay Leader)
READ:
Matthew 5:1-5 (NIV)
DAILY REFLECTION:
In 2022, a journalist tweeted, “The meek will never inherit the earth. Your Bible lied to you. The meek only get stepped on and eaten. Become strong. The strong shall inherit the earth.”
This statement appears to reflect the harsh reality of our dog-eat-dog world where only the strong comes out first, wins the deal, and gets to inherit the earth.
Even during Jesus’ time, it was the military might of Rome that was dominant over the civilised world. Why then does Jesus say something so outrageous – that the meek, whom the world derogatorily defines as timid doormats, will inherit the earth?
I found that Jesus’ audience had a different understanding of meek as compared with how we define meek today.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines meek as being submissive, mild, deficient in spirit and courage. However, the Greek meaning for meek in Matthew 5 is not a negative but positive quality. It is being gentle, humble, self-controlled, having an inner mastery and quiet spirit to courageously and continually rely upon God. It is a key quality for those who are of the kingdom of God. Not surprisingly then, the examples of meekness cited in the Bible are spiritual giants like Moses1 and even our Lord Jesus2 himself!
First, the meek are blessed or ‘happy’ – experiencing God’s active favour!
Secondly, in God’s upside-down economy, the kingdom of God is never about earthly riches, or rulership of the present world. We are joint-heirs with Christ to whom all authority in heaven and earth has been given, so we know Jesus has the power to give the earth to the meek when he comes again. In the here and now, I believe God blesses the meek with His peace and presence to triumph over injustice and adversity.
Over Chinese New Year, when I found myself alone with my two-month-old grandson, I felt compelled to pray that he will grow up safe in his identity as a beloved child of God, delighting himself in the Lord and being endowed with meekness. I pray for meekness for myself so that I may point the way for my children and grandson.
Some practical steps I can take with my spiritual or physical family:
1. Hold each other accountable – make a covenant that we will gently highlight to the other when we do not exhibit meekness in our interactions.
2. Keep praying for meekness – for me and my family.
FAMILY DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. When we are unjustly treated, how can we respond so as to demonstrate a Godly meekness? Look at examples of how Jesus responded in such situations.
2. When faced with stress and anxieties in school and in the workplace, how can you learn to commit and trust God completely?
3. Who do we see around us as demonstrating meekness? Can we find like-minded brothers or sisters in Christ and encourage one another to be meek like Jesus?
1Numbers 12:3 (ESV)
2Matt 11:29 (KJV)
