MENTORING MOMENTS – STRENGTH IN MEEKNESS

FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH
A TIME OF BLESSING

Today is Friday, our time of blessing! We gather with Jesus to hear the third of his “Blessed are…” from what we know as the Beatitudes. Jesus says,

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

His words are similar to Psalm 37:11, “The meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” How does this blessing uplift you today? How would you describe meekness? Do you see meekness as a weakness at times? How might meekness be a strength in your life?

Reflection:

I found this explanation from https://www.gotquestions.org/ helpful for today’s blessing:

The Greek word translated “meek” is praeis and refers to mildness, gentleness of spirit, or humility… Meekness is humility toward God and toward others. It is having the right or the power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else. Paul urged meekness when he told us “to live a life worthy of the calling [we] have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2).¹

Meekness is not being timid out of fear or doubt, but is instead being humble, gentle, and mild, out of the strength, love, and power of Christ.

And what about inheriting the earth? I found this explanation helpful, too. Dr. Michael A. Milton writes,

…when Jesus says that the meek inherit the earth He is affirming that salvation is a holistic term. We are saved in this life. We are saved at the moment of our death… and we are saved when we come to reign with Christ Jesus in a new heaven and a new earth. I believe that there is even more. We are saved in our personhood — our very humanity. To inherit the earth for me right now means to be given strength to face the disease that has afflicted me. To inherit the earth is to know the fullness of love and companionship with my wife and family. To inherit the earth is to know friendship based on love and respect rather than what one can do for me. To inherit the earth is to be at peace with God.² 

Each time we set aside our own self-interest to foster the interests of others, each time we define our personal success by promoting the success of others, and each time we use our individual rights to obtain the rights of others, we are the meek. And we are the blessed meek, for we inherit the joys of kingdom living right here and now, as we dwell together in love – for God and for all.

¹https://www.gotquestions.org/blessed-are-the-meek.html
²https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/how-is-it-that-the-meek-shall-inherit-the-earth.html

Photo by John Ramsdin on Unsplash
Bible verses found at https://www.biblegateway.com/