Disciple Up #193
The Disciple’s Identity Part 3: The Mighty Meek
By Louie Marsh, 1-6-2021
INTRO: What’s happening, where from here? Etc. 200th episode coming up! I am on Parlor – @discipleup. Previous Disciple’s Identity – Episodes 185, 188.
“5“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5, ESV)
Meek Not Weak
The meek (οἱ πραεις [hoi praeis]). Wycliff has it “Blessed be mild men.”
The ancients used the word for outward conduct and towards men. They did not rank it as a virtue anyhow. It was a mild equanimity that was sometimes negative and sometimes positively kind.
But Jesus lifted the word to a nobility never attained before. In fact, the Beatitudes assume a new heart, for the natural man does not find in happiness the qualities mentioned here by Christ.
The English word “meek” has largely lost the fine blend of spiritual poise and strength meant by the Master.
It is the gentleness of strength. – Real tough guys don’t act tough, they don’t have too. Special Forces guys I know – Marine Raiders!
Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Mt 5:5). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
My strengths are my weaknesses.
The Christian word, on the contrary, describes an inward quality, and that as related primarily to God. The equanimity, mildness, kindness, represented by the classical word, are founded in self-control or in natural disposition. The Christian meekness is based on humility, which is not a natural quality but an outgrowth of a renewed nature. To the pagan the word often implied condescension, to the Christian it implies submission. The Christian quality in its manifestation, reveals all that was best in the heathen virtue—mildness, gentleness, equanimity—but these manifestations toward men are emphasized as outgrowths of a spiritual relation to God. – Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 37). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
1) Meekness is great strength under the total control of another.
“29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, ESV)
“3Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3, ESV)
All of His great strength – the power of God – was under the control of another – the Father!
2) Meekness is the result of confessing our spiritual poverty, mourning it, and receiving in power God’s Kingdom and Comfort.
a, Remember the Spirit is the Comforter.
3) The Meek – I RELY on & LIVE THRU God’s Power alone.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 (ESV)
11 But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace. Psalm 37:11 (ESV)
- I find God’s Power in the HOLY SPIRIT ALONE.
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”…8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:4-5; 8 (ESV)
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. Luke 4:14 (ESV)
Inherit the Earth:
By “the earth” (την γην [tēn gēn]) Jesus seems to mean the Land of Promise (Psa. 37:11) though Bruce thinks that it is the whole earth. Can it be the solid earth as opposed to the sea or the air? –
Which brings us to the promise of verse 5 – inherit the earth.
- Meek get it because we’ll still be here after all those not in the Kingdom are long gone!
- Meek have the earth now, because they’re the only ones who really know how to enjoy it.
These pre-Christian meanings of the word exhibit two general characteristics:
- They express outward conduct merely.
- They contemplate relations to men only.
A huge Theme of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus Ministry and Christianity in general is going below the surface.
We are always tempted to use only measurable items -outward, things that can be seen – to gauge growth.
Jesus drives straight into the heart.
“21“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:21–22, ESV)
“27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Keep the Context of heart in mind
29If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” (Matthew 5:27–30, ESV)
“34And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”” (Matthew 18:34–35, ESV)
Please Get In Touch!
Email – louie@discipleup.org
Check out the Disciple Up Facebook page:
My books –
