QUIET STRENGTH

Matthew 5:5(ESV) “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”  As we look at the third beatitude spoken by Jesus on that mountain that day, we can’t help but consider the first two; blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven and blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.  Not those that who think they are righteous but those who know they are sinners and not those who are happy with themselves but those who are sad about their sin.  So, those who have recognized that they are broken and are sad are humbled, looking for restoration by the only One that can provide it.  Humility is a necessary attribute to achieving the sought-after restoration.  Most people during the time of Jesus’ walk on earth were not unlike our society today.  Admitting meekness then and now wouldn’t and isn’t a popular attribute.  But we as Christ-followers know that the world we live in is upside down from the eternal heaven we will share with our Lord.  The people following Jesus onto the mountain for this particular sermon were spiritual seekers most likely, although as he spoke about the strength of meekness, he may have lost some that had other ideas about what the resultant kingdom would be like, abandoning the hilltop.  Most were looking for relief through a Messiah from the Roman oppression, but various groups were looking for that Messiah to provide the relief through means other than individual spiritual restoration.  Some (Pharisees) wanted relief through a divine miracle while others (Zionists) were looking for a military king who would overthrow the Roman government’s control.  So, the revolutionary message he brought to the multitudes on the mountain was counter to what many of them wanted to hear, that a broken spirit and mourning were necessary components of seeking righteousness through the only means of achieving holiness, Jesus.  We see that same mindset in our society today.  Meekness is not a virtue desired by most but is a fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:23 (KJV).  The Holy Spirit leads us there.