BLESSED ARE THE MEEK…

“BLESSED ARE THE MEEK…” (Matt. 5:5a)

In the marketplace of power and control, the very thought of meekness comes off as insipid and ineffectual. After all, it is the assertive types, not the docile, compliant, and timid that make things happen in the commercial center of ideas, action and leadership!

Well guess what? Jim Collins in his monumental work, Good to Great discovered in his research that the best CEOs – what he calls “Level 5 leaders” – combine extreme passion for a cause with deep humility and a sense of teamwork. Without humility a man cannot learn, because the first step to learning is the realization of our own ignorance. Perhaps a paraphrase of “Blessed are the meek…” (Matt. 5:5a) could be, “Blessed is the man who has the humility to know his own ignorance, his own weakness, and his own need.”1 The biblical concept of meekness does not connote weakness. It is power put under control. Powerful King Solomon reminded us that a person without meekness is “like a city that is broken into and without walls” (Pro. 25:28). “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, then he who captures a city” (Pro. 16:32 ). An unbroken colt is of little use. Wind and people out of control prove to be destructive. Meekness appropriately measures out its resources.

It would serve us well to keep in mind that poverty of spirit (Matt. 5:3 of last week’s “Facts”) focuses on our sinfulness, while meekness (Matt. 5:5) focuses on God’s holiness, and that the basic attitude of humility underlies both virtues.

Frank and Sarah come to mind when I think of meekness. Frank has a PhD from one of our blue chip universities and masterfully leads a mid-sized company of excellence. I first got to know Frank many years ago when he helped me put up a basketball hoop for my 9 year old son, the day our family moved to town. He was hungry for discipleship. Sarah, now in her late 80’s, has for many years been the quintessential business leader in her city, and continues to quietly influence leaders to practice excellence, ethics and good governance. Years ago I remember discovering Sarah on her knees at her church, cleaning toilets that she observed had been overlooked, in preparation for a one day conference. Both Frank and Sarah reflect their deep inner core of biblical values as they speak with passion and conviction in measured tones. Both, by their powerful, “meek” presence command monumental respect and influence in their community.

Biblical examples of powerful leaders embracing the quality of meekness would include:

Christ who twice drove out the money changers (Jn. 2:14, 15; Matt. 21:12 , 13), yet meekly sacrificed himself for others, serves as an example for us to follow: “...Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps…He did not retaliate when he was insulted. When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the hands of God” (I Pet. 2:21a, 23). This gentle Jesus, the One who spoke the worlds into being, humbly rode a donkey into Jerusalem as the coming King (Matt. 21:5).

Moses who in righteous anger smashed the tablets upon learning of the golden calf, was “… more humble than any other person on earth” (Num. 12:3; Exo. 32:19).

David who had the opportunity to kill Saul but refused stating, "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord" (I Sam. 24: 5, 6).

QUESTION: What answer would I receive if I were to ask those closest to you if you are perceived as kindly, patient, moderate, humble, and measured? What would they have to say about being pushy, manipulative, easily irritated, in a hurry, wound tight, arbitrary, harsh, proud or supercilious? The reason we need to ask these difficult questions lies in the gravity of Jesus’ statement: “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3b, 4).

1 Barclay’s Daily Study Bible (NT)

R. Dwight Hill