Be louder. Say more. Push against. Don’t give up. Make a scene. Get people’s attention. All these short and direct statements speak to our present cultural condition as we battle one another politically, theologically, and relationally. It seems the person who makes the most noise is the best leader and will garner the greatest following. Yet, as I consider Jesus’ ministry and the ministry of many great Christian leaders, I see how often the greatest leadership comes through listening and meekness.
In Matthew 5:5, Jesus speaks, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Meekness is an uncommon term in our modern vernacular. We tend to think of meekness as humility or gentleness, which would be an accurate understanding. Yet, in some reading in preparation for this devotion, I found authors drawing a line between humble and meek in this way where meekness refers to how we treat others and humility deals more with restraining one’s power. There seems to be meekness in humility and humility in meekness, but there could be seen a difference between the two.
Jesus’ life is one of meekness. We see his invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” In Jesus’ meekness he invites us to come amid our tiredness, when we are heavy laden, and when we are at our wits end. He invites us to come to him when life doesn’t make sense or when life seems overwhelming. He invites us to come to him when we are at odds with other people, and we are ready to throw in the proverbial towel.
He then calls us to be meek, gentle, and lowly in heart, as we live our lives. We are called to “love our enemies,” (Matthew 5:44); to “eat with sinners” (Matthew 9:11); to “go to a brother/sister who sins against you” to be reconciled (Matthew 18:15). The meekness required to cross the barriers created in our hearts to engage in relationship with individuals with whom we disagree or who have caused us harm or who are in need spiritually opens the door for us to inherit the earth, which is God’s rule in our lives and God’s blessing in our lives.
In meekness:
How is God calling you to “be meek?” Where is God calling you to listen more and speak less? Where is God calling you to love your enemies, eat with sinners, and work toward reconciliation?
Prayer: Lord, I react impatiently and without grace at times in my life. Forgive me. I want a meek heart that is gentle, patient, and ready to listen. In Jesus’ name. Amen.