Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the meek means those with Christlike lowliness of heart, self-surrender and submission of the will to God, learned by abiding in Christ and wearing His yoke. They shall inherit the earth means not this present earth darkened by curse and death, but the whole earth made new after judgment and purification, where righteousness dwells and there is no more sorrow or death. This lays low all hopes of worldly greatness and political restoration, for it states a principle of Christ's spiritual kingdom of grace and righteousness established in the heart. The blessing is to be incorporated into daily life, transforming character to bring peace and joy, and shaping humble, teachable workers who serve others without seeking praise.
Setting and Hearers
He went up into a mountain and sat down, and His disciples came to Him in an inner circle while the multitudes listened within hearing, Jews and Gentiles who had come to hear and be healed and who needed heart reformation. The blessing on the meek was one of the blessings He then taught them from His longing to fill the world with a peace and joy like that found in the heavenly world. It set forth the character of His teaching, to be studied together with His conflict with Satan and victory in the wilderness in Matthew four. It was one of the opening blessings in His teaching about the kingdom of heaven, righteousness, salt, light, and the law.
The great multitudes had come from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and beyond Jordan, and His compassionate healing had prepared them to listen to this instruction for His disciples. He had spent the preceding night in prayer to His Father before giving the Sermon on the Mount. He gave it beneath the trees on a mountainside near the Sea of Galilee, speaking as if enshrouded in heavenly brightness as in a cloud.
It stands in the same series with the blessings on the poor in spirit, on those who mourn, and on those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Together those opening blessings belong with His teaching about the kingdom of heaven, righteousness, salt, light, and the law. They clearly define the experience all may gain in the things of God, leaving no excuse for walking in uncertainty or for being confused and unbelieving, and the Spirit uses this truth to bring the world in touch with Christ so that through His power men and women may be continually won to the truth.
His words were plain and simple, so that even the poor and unlearned could understand, and so simple that a child can study them without being misled, yet they carried authority and offered eternal life and have remained a light and a sure foundation for faith and practice. They were of an entirely different character from those of the scribes and Pharisees, blessing those they would have denounced as cursed of God. Every sentence came from God, for as the Word and the Wisdom of God He presented its truth with an authority exclusively His own, and His words are spirit and life. In pronouncing blessing He declared His power to dispense the treasures of eternity to whomsoever He willed, showing that although His divinity was clothed with humanity He is equal with God. The mount of beatitudes where He spoke is an emblem of the high elevation on which He ever stood.
His teaching instructed in practical godliness and distinctly outlined duty, using familiar illustrations to make the living principles of God's law clear to mind and conscience. He drew things both new and old to illustrate and enforce His teachings, touching the heart and awakening sympathy, with no long, farfetched, complicated reasoning but coming right to the point and reading every heart. He illustrated truth in all its bearings and then left hearers free to accept or reject it, forcing no one to believe, while commanding truth to the conscience with clearness and earnestness. Those who heard and believed included people later converted after His resurrection and ascension. The discourse is simple to understand, and its words, when received and practiced, can lead to salvation, so it is a lesson to take in and share with people of every station, with the Holy Spirit working with those who teach them from Scripture.
Meaning of Meekness
The blessing stands in an advancing line of Christian experience, in which those who have felt their need of Christ and have mourned for sin in the school of affliction learn meekness from Christ as divine Teacher. It means patience and gentleness under wrong. It was a grace not prized by heathen or Jews, who treated it with pity or contempt, yet Jesus placed it among the first qualifications for His kingdom and reversed the world's judgment by making it a quality of kingdom life.
Meekness is Christlike lowliness of heart, self-surrender, and submission of the will to the divine will. It is the fruit of abiding in Christ and of fellowship with God, the meekness and lowliness of Christ learned only by wearing His yoke of entire submission, uniting with God in the molding and fashioning work and allowing self to be molded into the vessel He desires. God delights to see it expressed and values the lowly even when the world scorns them. It marks those who are poor in spirit and crave His abiding presence, and those humble in heart who chiefly desire to do His will, while its absence shows there is no true discipleship and self-exaltation and swelling importance make a person so large in own estimation as to feel no need of a Saviour and no need to wear His yoke. Wearing the yoke means working in His lines, being a co-partner with Him in His sufferings and toils for lost humanity, and being a wise instructor of souls.
Its divine beauty is revealed in His own life and character. When wrongfully treated He returned good for evil, and His whole life was that of One who serves. His humility became more marked as His ascension drew near, even to washing His disciples' feet, blessing the poor in spirit, the mourning, the meek, and the peacemaker while never countenancing those who stand in self-esteem and look down on others, calling all to lay aside pride and share His lowly, serving spirit.
It helps believers rise above slights, insults, rebuffs, abuse, and daily annoyances without losing peace or a calm, trusting spirit and without becoming gloomy or letting them darken the spirit. Lowliness of heart gives strength for victory and shows connection with heaven, while hatred and revenge bring remorse. In the home it brings happiness and gentleness, avoids quarrels and angry replies, soothes irritation, and restrains retaliation, so that Christians bear false accusations rather than avenge themselves against enemies. Though scorned by the world, the meek are precious to God, and humble people who seek Christ's presence and want to do God's will will enter the heavenly courts, serve before God's throne, and receive an inheritance of glory.
It answers rough or unkind words gently rather than retaliating, utters no hasty or irritated words, keeps the law of kindness on the lips, and gives soft and pleasant answers even when tried and tempted by discouraging words, which brings sunshine into the heart and makes the path more smooth. It refuses to insist on personal rights, accepts wrong and bears false accusation without accusing or retaliating, and patiently and thankfully endures trials, disappointment, and wrong, which purifies and makes white. Exaggerating small annoyances into grievous troubles and living in discontent is not the meekness Christ blesses, nor is sulky silence or a morose temper, which wounds others and brings pain. It is gentle and forgiving, not returning insults when reviled, not esteeming self highly, remaining teachable and willing to be taught, and therefore fit subjects for the kingdom of heaven who are blessed in this life and will receive glory, honor, and immortality in God's kingdom and inherit the earth. Such patience, forbearance, and kindness can win an unconverted husband.
The meek are teachable and willing to be taught, seeking the engrafted Word as learners in the school of Christ, with ideas, prejudices, preferences, and strong masterful self-will that would crush souls softened, subdued, and made teachable, for Christ longs to communicate with a spirit that longs and is eager to learn. They show modest speech, self-control, and soundness in the faith manifested day by day in words and spirit in the righteousness of Christ, with self hid with Christ in God. They are free from bickering, contention, criticizing, and murmuring, which makes workers unfaithful and useless, overcome hatred and selfishness, cherish no bitter feelings toward any of the Lord's purchased possession, restore an erring brother in gentleness, and stand tested and tried without hindering the work of God, rather than acting from hasty words or natural temperament. They are content to work and wait in a humble sphere without discontent with humble duties or circumstances and without restlessness and dissatisfaction, until tested and fitted for greater responsibility. It is inward adorning and perfection of character, received by appropriating Christ's words by faith, for Christ in whom dwells all fullness is the bread of life who satisfies every craving needed for perfection, and found by measuring character by the holy law. It is opposite to self-sufficiency, self-exaltation, and a selfish, grasping spirit, such as taking excessive wages and misusing money that should support God's work.
Promise of Inheritance
Sin entered through desire for self-exaltation, and by it the first parents lost dominion over this earth as their kingdom, while Christ by self-denial redeems what was lost, and those who through humility and self-surrender overcome as He overcame become heirs with Him to possess the earth and delight in abundance of peace. Meekness itself is lowliness of heart and self-surrender, the fruit of abiding in Christ, rejecting retaliation and self-exaltation.
The inheritance promised is not this present earth darkened with death and curse but new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells and there is no more curse. There the throne of God and of the Lamb is and His servants serve Him, with no disappointment, sorrow, sin, sickness, burial trains, mourning, death, partings, or broken hearts, because Jesus is there and peace is there. He who has mercy on them leads them by springs of water so they do not hunger or thirst and heat and sun do not strike them.
The saints inherit the whole earth made new after the wicked are judged, destroyed, and consumed by fire and the earth is purified, cleansed, and made glorious and beautiful. This comes when the city of God has descended from heaven to earth, with a home in that city as members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King, as an everlasting inheritance.
Though scorned by the world, the meek are precious to God and valued by Him. They will gain entrance to heaven and stand before God's throne among those made clean by the Lamb's blood, stand near Christ, and be honored in heaven. They receive glory, honor, and immortality with rich blessing and great reward, are adopted as heirs drawing on heaven's inexhaustible riches, and are acknowledged before the heavenly host and unfallen and fallen worlds as His peculiar treasure and sons of God. They are loved and ministered to by angels and share with Christ in the blessing, glory, and honor of His kingdom.
The present is the time for humbling self, and in a little while God will exalt those most meek and lowly of heart and be their light, honor, glory, and exceeding great reward. The promise is a precious jewel to consider when discouraged in a hard close time for those who love and fear God. The full inheritance is not yet accomplished but the work is begun in them to make them fit partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. It is Christlike character and making God the sufficiency, not wealth, land, position, dignity, or intellectual attainment, that opens Paradise and brings the crown of immortality. For God measures by moral worth and not by possessions which the wealthy may prize, and idleness and refusal to use God-given abilities undermine fitness for immortal life.
Kingdom Against Earthly Hopes
The blessing states one of the principles that govern Christ's kingdom of divine grace. It was spoken with the disciples gathered close about Him yet designed to reach the hearts and consciences of the whole mixed crowd. It disappointed hopes for earthly glory, for a great display of power over a new kingdom, for freedom from the yoke of bondage, and for restoration to ancient glory and political restoration to Israel. The sermon rejects hopes of worldly greatness and teaches the conditions of entrance into God's kingdom, giving a true conception of that kingdom and of Christ's character. That kingdom is not a political kingdom restored to Israel but a kingdom of righteousness and peace established in hearts. Jesus' own humble life, free of worldly pomp, offered hope to the lowly and made Him both their example and their Redeemer.
Spoken among the very first sentences of the sermon, the blessing was calculated to lay Jewish ambition for names and positions and titles and earthly greatness low in the dust. It shows those things are nothing and pure virtue and a holy character is everything in the sight of heaven. The blessing rests on a trait entirely opposite to what was cherished, correcting high imaginings by exalting true sentiments. Together with the surrounding beatitudes it presents a kingdom where human ambitions and earthly passions cannot find entrance, overturning ambition for worldly rank and power. The meek, together with the poor in spirit and the persecuted for righteousness' sake, are subjects of Christ's spiritual kingdom of love, grace, and righteousness distinguished by the likeness of the Son of man, and they possess the kingdom of heaven. That kingdom is not a temporal and earthly dominion, and while the full inheritance is not yet accomplished, the work is begun in them that will make them fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
Law Gospel and Scripture
The sermon on the mount sets forth the very principles once spoken to Moses for Israel, proclaimed from Sinai in the wilderness by the same Christ who afterward spoke them on the mountain when He was set and His disciples came to Him before the multitudes. The New Testament standard there is not lower than the Old, but human duty to God and to fellow men is stated even more strongly because disobedience had confused men about God's claims. Its words are to be studied together with His conflict with Satan and victory in the wilderness in Matthew four, to learn of Him as Teacher and receive His words as bread for the soul, especially in heart-purity and love. That practical teaching repeated the principles of holy living taught to Israel, meant to shape character and govern daily life and not merely formal worship, for the gospel is practical.
The practical obedience taught from the Mount of Blessing is still binding and did not cease with the ceremonial types. Christ was the foundation of the Jewish economy, and when type met antitype in His death the need for sacrificial offerings ceased, but this blessing belongs to what remains. It calls for strict observance of the difference between the sacred and the common given through Moses and still required of modern Israel who have both that instruction and greater light.
On the mount the law was stripped of human traditions and priestly additions and revealed in its true light as God's great moral standard of righteousness. Misinterpretation was corrected, and human traditions and external observances that had displaced true religion were rejected, contrary to the doctrines and practices of the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees. Thereby the true compassionate, merciful, loving character of God was revealed against their misrepresentation. Nothing is to be accepted that cannot be brought to the law and to the testimony, and any teaching not in accordance with the words of God is to be rejected, while the practiced lessons of the sermon give wisdom to shun false paths and enable men to gain heaven.
The blessing magnifies and makes honorable the same law Christ Himself proclaimed from Sinai, setting forth the principles underlying God's great standard of righteousness and laying down light and truth applying to every condition of life and every duty God requires. It explains the spirituality of the law as reaching every phase of life. Keeping the commandments requires the love Christ felt for humanity to be instilled in the heart and manifested in daily life in love to God and to fellow men, sowing seeds of truth that produce holiness and beauty of character, sanctifying actions with a holy, purifying influence wherever it exists, reaching far while time lasts and felt throughout eternity. That far-reaching law condemns every evil action and demands perfect obedience, as He kept the commandments in His sinless life, with sincere acceptance of Him as personal Saviour moving to earnest desire to do duty to God and represent Him in character. If perfectly obeyed there would be no corruption of earth, no oppression and injustice, but love, harmony and joy, with Christian power revealed in the churches, the converting power of the Holy Spirit felt, and thousands added to the church. Its pure gospel standard rules out unjustly gaining wealth at another's expense and requires love for God and neighbor, given in exposition of the precepts of the law so that those departing from the law would return to allegiance and become representatives of the Son and the Father.
The sermon gives Christ's definition of true sanctification, with His holy life as the example for followers to be crucified and buried with Him, made alive by His Spirit, and filled with His life. The gospel is given from the mount of beatitudes just as verily as it was given to Israel when enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, for the Giver is the Christ of the Old Testament Scriptures in prerogative and high authority as Captain of the Lord's host, afterward made flesh dwelling among men full of grace and truth. With the perfect standard of practice in purity, righteousness and love He gives the bright prospect of immortal life in the paradise of God. That teaching removes territorial and man-made distinctions and widens vision to take in sinful, suffering humanity everywhere and in the regions beyond, breaking down partition walls and widening the circle of influence. So strengthened, those who use given talents to impart grace to be refilled with increased grace become laborers together with God, working in His lines without failing or discouragement through asking, seeking and knocking in hope and faith in His immutable promise.
Receiving and Living Blessing
The blessing holds deep meaning and worth as a golden treasure of truth and instruction, yet its meaning is only dimly appreciated and often left out of practical Christian experience. It is meant to be brought into practical experience and incorporated into the life, worked out in personal proved and tried experience to give experimental understanding and knowledge of highest value and to show messengers of God the true position they are called to occupy. Christ had already lived and acted out in His own deeds what He taught before He spoke it, so the beatitudes are to be considered one by one for what they mean in each life. Misunderstanding and disobeying this lesson brought ruin, and treading the same ground of passing it over will bring the same history unless there is speedy repentance, for it corrects the false view of God as a cold despot and calls for walking in all humility of mind before God in a simple, kind, courteous, just, pure, uplifting religion born of love that seeks to please God by righteousness.
It is one of Christ's plainly stated blessings and plain directions in the Sermon on the Mount, a promise attached to a way of life He blessed and calling for study. Those who seek its blessings are to do the work He defines and remain faithful, seeking meekness through faith, prayer, and earnest study of Scripture. Its words show the way to heaven and hold some of the most precious lessons anywhere, to be desired above all other knowledge and studied from the Word kept at hand instead of light reading. Its Scripture words are to be furnished in the mind and repeated at the proper time to people in trial and perplexity who have never risen above their difficulties, especially where Christ is represented to all temperaments, giving health of mind, shielding from temptation, and furnishing reasons for faith that glorify God without offending. Studying and following the sermon as blessings to those who accept the terms laid down provides guidance for the trials of the last days, for Christ pronounces a distinct blessing on those who day by day accept and follow His teaching and receive the Word into good and honest hearts.
Cherishing its truth and heeding its divine requirement contributes to transformation of character that marks God's people. The meek are blessed as they form righteous characters, a standard meant for every age and every class that anyone can reach through faith in Christ by living the life of the Life-giver. Meekness is a Christlike character quality receiving His blessing, among those characters believers are to study and develop, showing by their lives that they are children of God. True happiness comes from the grace of the Spirit bearing fruit in good and righteous actions, in contrast to worldly status, possessions, praise, and honor that do not bring God's favor or love, and those possessing the qualities commended are truly blessed. The blessedness taught is had here below in cheerfulness, peace, and joy in work, requiring the spirit and far-reaching principles of the law of God in the heart, because the state of the heart regulates life and character and without impressing the heart labor is lost. That life reveals the divine nature shining through Christ's humanity, bringing peace and joy to the worker, adopting them as heirs and bestowing heaven's treasures.
The qualities that bring blessing are gained by carrying out godly principles in daily life and relying on Christ's strength. Its teaching is a lesson of practical godliness for believers in every age, truths disciples were to receive carefully from Christ and pass on to others, shaping life rather than being replaced by claims of faith or sanctification that contradict His instruction. It is worth dwelling on often as a clear expression of God's will, correcting evils through words, attitudes, and actions that reflect Christ. Living out the lessons can make a lasting and deeper impression than preaching, for speaking modestly and hiding self in Christ allows the Holy Spirit to dictate words and impress hearts. Disciples obeying as they seek perfection of Christian character serve as lights carrying truth to people in darkness who do not know the way of life and salvation.
The verse describes humble, Christlike workers who follow the Saviour's example of self-denial, remain teachable under His training, and serve without seeking human praise or notice. Their meekness is shown in concern for the needy and in giving glory to God, and God values, honors, sees and rewards their quiet work, bringing them near Christ. Such workers move onward in Christian character while mindful of weakness, helping the needy, practicing self-denial, and giving God the glory. Though they may be unlearned, feel weakness, and be overlooked by those prizing ability, they learn from Christ, serve the needy, seek God's glory rather than human notice, inherit the earth, and are honored by God. Meekness marks Christian service and participation in Christ's labor and its rewards, in contrast to the selfish grasping spirit of excessive wages and misuse of money for God's work, of which very little meekness was present in the publishing houses. In business this rejects dishonest measures, trade tricks, and hoarding in faithful use of talents.
Christ regards the meek, including the ill-used, with compassion, favor, and gladness, and welcomes a condition many would find discouraging. Meekness here is joined with poverty, need, sorrow, lowliness, hardship, being despised, persecuted and bowed down, and Christ works through hearts moved to pity to relieve suffering, seeing great need as opportunity to help where people are. Turning from the world's ambitious favorites whom He passes by, He offers refuge and rest to the lowly who receive His light, life, and love, pouring blessing after blessing as jewels of Christian excellence and greeting the whole human family. He opens arms of refuge, calls to rest, to take His yoke of submission and learn from Him. Meekness gives soft answers to rough questions, pleasant answers to discouraging words, no retaliation when tried by unkind words, no hasty words even when irritated but gentle words bringing sunshine into the heart and smoothing the path, keeping the law of kindness on the lips, living as true gentlemen and gentlewomen resolved not to disappoint Christ, willing to be taught and thus fit subjects for the kingdom who will inherit the earth, and in marriage this patience, forbearance, and kindness can win an unconverted husband to the Saviour.
To obtain the inheritance after the earth is purified and cleansed, when the city of God has descended to earth with a home in that city as members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King, self must be taken in hand now in meekness. This means not letting difficulties pass along unsettled but leaving the gift at the altar and going at once to be reconciled, which few can stand against, while lack of meekness leaves things unsettled which God does not want. Meekness lived out brings a sweet atmosphere, love, a shining countenance, and praise and glory ascending to God and to the Lamb forever. It means standing in the appointed lot in perfect harmony with brethren, strengthening and building up waste places, holding aloft the Bible standard, living the truth, exercising mercy and the love of God, hungering after righteousness with mercy and purity, and being ready for any next work in service, cultivated as part of harmony with others. It is the opposite of ambition and desire to supersede, which do not count as divine acquirements when weighed in the balances of the heavenly sanctuary, and calls for unity, love, and Christian fellowship in learning and obeying instruction rather than following one's own way or accusing and finding fault.
The soul-saving message is for all who will receive it, and those humble in spirit who receive these truths will be converted and God's rebuke for past wrongs removed. The blessing is part of Christ's greeting to the whole human family and of the sermon giving the law of duty and the light of heaven, offering hope and comfort in discouragement. Christ recognizes and blesses the meek whom the ambitious favorites of the world may reject, receiving His light and life and welcoming them into His refuge. The distinct blessing rests on those with good and honest hearts who day by day accept and follow His teaching and receive His word.
Blessed are the meek means those with Christlike lowliness of heart, self-surrender and submission of the will to God, learned by abiding in Christ and wearing His yoke. They shall inherit the earth means not this present earth darkened by curse and death, but the whole earth made new after judgment and purification, where righteousness dwells and there is no more sorrow or death. This lays low all hopes of worldly greatness and political restoration, for it states a principle of Christ's spiritual kingdom of grace and righteousness established in the heart. The blessing is to be incorporated into daily life, transforming character to bring peace and joy, and shaping humble, teachable workers who serve others without seeking praise.
Setting and Hearers
He went up into a mountain and sat down, and His disciples came to Him in an inner circle while the multitudes listened within hearing, Jews and Gentiles who had come to hear and be healed and who needed heart reformation. The blessing on the meek was one of the blessings He then taught them from His longing to fill the world with a peace and joy like that found in the heavenly world. It set forth the character of His teaching, to be studied together with His conflict with Satan and victory in the wilderness in Matthew four. It was one of the opening blessings in His teaching about the kingdom of heaven, righteousness, salt, light, and the law.
The great multitudes had come from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and beyond Jordan, and His compassionate healing had prepared them to listen to this instruction for His disciples. He had spent the preceding night in prayer to His Father before giving the Sermon on the Mount. He gave it beneath the trees on a mountainside near the Sea of Galilee, speaking as if enshrouded in heavenly brightness as in a cloud.
It stands in the same series with the blessings on the poor in spirit, on those who mourn, and on those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Together those opening blessings belong with His teaching about the kingdom of heaven, righteousness, salt, light, and the law. They clearly define the experience all may gain in the things of God, leaving no excuse for walking in uncertainty or for being confused and unbelieving, and the Spirit uses this truth to bring the world in touch with Christ so that through His power men and women may be continually won to the truth.
His words were plain and simple, so that even the poor and unlearned could understand, and so simple that a child can study them without being misled, yet they carried authority and offered eternal life and have remained a light and a sure foundation for faith and practice. They were of an entirely different character from those of the scribes and Pharisees, blessing those they would have denounced as cursed of God. Every sentence came from God, for as the Word and the Wisdom of God He presented its truth with an authority exclusively His own, and His words are spirit and life. In pronouncing blessing He declared His power to dispense the treasures of eternity to whomsoever He willed, showing that although His divinity was clothed with humanity He is equal with God. The mount of beatitudes where He spoke is an emblem of the high elevation on which He ever stood.
His teaching instructed in practical godliness and distinctly outlined duty, using familiar illustrations to make the living principles of God's law clear to mind and conscience. He drew things both new and old to illustrate and enforce His teachings, touching the heart and awakening sympathy, with no long, farfetched, complicated reasoning but coming right to the point and reading every heart. He illustrated truth in all its bearings and then left hearers free to accept or reject it, forcing no one to believe, while commanding truth to the conscience with clearness and earnestness. Those who heard and believed included people later converted after His resurrection and ascension. The discourse is simple to understand, and its words, when received and practiced, can lead to salvation, so it is a lesson to take in and share with people of every station, with the Holy Spirit working with those who teach them from Scripture.
Meaning of Meekness
The blessing stands in an advancing line of Christian experience, in which those who have felt their need of Christ and have mourned for sin in the school of affliction learn meekness from Christ as divine Teacher. It means patience and gentleness under wrong. It was a grace not prized by heathen or Jews, who treated it with pity or contempt, yet Jesus placed it among the first qualifications for His kingdom and reversed the world's judgment by making it a quality of kingdom life.
Meekness is Christlike lowliness of heart, self-surrender, and submission of the will to the divine will. It is the fruit of abiding in Christ and of fellowship with God, the meekness and lowliness of Christ learned only by wearing His yoke of entire submission, uniting with God in the molding and fashioning work and allowing self to be molded into the vessel He desires. God delights to see it expressed and values the lowly even when the world scorns them. It marks those who are poor in spirit and crave His abiding presence, and those humble in heart who chiefly desire to do His will, while its absence shows there is no true discipleship and self-exaltation and swelling importance make a person so large in own estimation as to feel no need of a Saviour and no need to wear His yoke. Wearing the yoke means working in His lines, being a co-partner with Him in His sufferings and toils for lost humanity, and being a wise instructor of souls.
Its divine beauty is revealed in His own life and character. When wrongfully treated He returned good for evil, and His whole life was that of One who serves. His humility became more marked as His ascension drew near, even to washing His disciples' feet, blessing the poor in spirit, the mourning, the meek, and the peacemaker while never countenancing those who stand in self-esteem and look down on others, calling all to lay aside pride and share His lowly, serving spirit.
It helps believers rise above slights, insults, rebuffs, abuse, and daily annoyances without losing peace or a calm, trusting spirit and without becoming gloomy or letting them darken the spirit. Lowliness of heart gives strength for victory and shows connection with heaven, while hatred and revenge bring remorse. In the home it brings happiness and gentleness, avoids quarrels and angry replies, soothes irritation, and restrains retaliation, so that Christians bear false accusations rather than avenge themselves against enemies. Though scorned by the world, the meek are precious to God, and humble people who seek Christ's presence and want to do God's will will enter the heavenly courts, serve before God's throne, and receive an inheritance of glory.
It answers rough or unkind words gently rather than retaliating, utters no hasty or irritated words, keeps the law of kindness on the lips, and gives soft and pleasant answers even when tried and tempted by discouraging words, which brings sunshine into the heart and makes the path more smooth. It refuses to insist on personal rights, accepts wrong and bears false accusation without accusing or retaliating, and patiently and thankfully endures trials, disappointment, and wrong, which purifies and makes white. Exaggerating small annoyances into grievous troubles and living in discontent is not the meekness Christ blesses, nor is sulky silence or a morose temper, which wounds others and brings pain. It is gentle and forgiving, not returning insults when reviled, not esteeming self highly, remaining teachable and willing to be taught, and therefore fit subjects for the kingdom of heaven who are blessed in this life and will receive glory, honor, and immortality in God's kingdom and inherit the earth. Such patience, forbearance, and kindness can win an unconverted husband.
The meek are teachable and willing to be taught, seeking the engrafted Word as learners in the school of Christ, with ideas, prejudices, preferences, and strong masterful self-will that would crush souls softened, subdued, and made teachable, for Christ longs to communicate with a spirit that longs and is eager to learn. They show modest speech, self-control, and soundness in the faith manifested day by day in words and spirit in the righteousness of Christ, with self hid with Christ in God. They are free from bickering, contention, criticizing, and murmuring, which makes workers unfaithful and useless, overcome hatred and selfishness, cherish no bitter feelings toward any of the Lord's purchased possession, restore an erring brother in gentleness, and stand tested and tried without hindering the work of God, rather than acting from hasty words or natural temperament. They are content to work and wait in a humble sphere without discontent with humble duties or circumstances and without restlessness and dissatisfaction, until tested and fitted for greater responsibility. It is inward adorning and perfection of character, received by appropriating Christ's words by faith, for Christ in whom dwells all fullness is the bread of life who satisfies every craving needed for perfection, and found by measuring character by the holy law. It is opposite to self-sufficiency, self-exaltation, and a selfish, grasping spirit, such as taking excessive wages and misusing money that should support God's work.
Promise of Inheritance
Sin entered through desire for self-exaltation, and by it the first parents lost dominion over this earth as their kingdom, while Christ by self-denial redeems what was lost, and those who through humility and self-surrender overcome as He overcame become heirs with Him to possess the earth and delight in abundance of peace. Meekness itself is lowliness of heart and self-surrender, the fruit of abiding in Christ, rejecting retaliation and self-exaltation.
The inheritance promised is not this present earth darkened with death and curse but new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells and there is no more curse. There the throne of God and of the Lamb is and His servants serve Him, with no disappointment, sorrow, sin, sickness, burial trains, mourning, death, partings, or broken hearts, because Jesus is there and peace is there. He who has mercy on them leads them by springs of water so they do not hunger or thirst and heat and sun do not strike them.
The saints inherit the whole earth made new after the wicked are judged, destroyed, and consumed by fire and the earth is purified, cleansed, and made glorious and beautiful. This comes when the city of God has descended from heaven to earth, with a home in that city as members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King, as an everlasting inheritance.
Though scorned by the world, the meek are precious to God and valued by Him. They will gain entrance to heaven and stand before God's throne among those made clean by the Lamb's blood, stand near Christ, and be honored in heaven. They receive glory, honor, and immortality with rich blessing and great reward, are adopted as heirs drawing on heaven's inexhaustible riches, and are acknowledged before the heavenly host and unfallen and fallen worlds as His peculiar treasure and sons of God. They are loved and ministered to by angels and share with Christ in the blessing, glory, and honor of His kingdom.
The present is the time for humbling self, and in a little while God will exalt those most meek and lowly of heart and be their light, honor, glory, and exceeding great reward. The promise is a precious jewel to consider when discouraged in a hard close time for those who love and fear God. The full inheritance is not yet accomplished but the work is begun in them to make them fit partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. It is Christlike character and making God the sufficiency, not wealth, land, position, dignity, or intellectual attainment, that opens Paradise and brings the crown of immortality. For God measures by moral worth and not by possessions which the wealthy may prize, and idleness and refusal to use God-given abilities undermine fitness for immortal life.
Kingdom Against Earthly Hopes
The blessing states one of the principles that govern Christ's kingdom of divine grace. It was spoken with the disciples gathered close about Him yet designed to reach the hearts and consciences of the whole mixed crowd. It disappointed hopes for earthly glory, for a great display of power over a new kingdom, for freedom from the yoke of bondage, and for restoration to ancient glory and political restoration to Israel. The sermon rejects hopes of worldly greatness and teaches the conditions of entrance into God's kingdom, giving a true conception of that kingdom and of Christ's character. That kingdom is not a political kingdom restored to Israel but a kingdom of righteousness and peace established in hearts. Jesus' own humble life, free of worldly pomp, offered hope to the lowly and made Him both their example and their Redeemer.
Spoken among the very first sentences of the sermon, the blessing was calculated to lay Jewish ambition for names and positions and titles and earthly greatness low in the dust. It shows those things are nothing and pure virtue and a holy character is everything in the sight of heaven. The blessing rests on a trait entirely opposite to what was cherished, correcting high imaginings by exalting true sentiments. Together with the surrounding beatitudes it presents a kingdom where human ambitions and earthly passions cannot find entrance, overturning ambition for worldly rank and power. The meek, together with the poor in spirit and the persecuted for righteousness' sake, are subjects of Christ's spiritual kingdom of love, grace, and righteousness distinguished by the likeness of the Son of man, and they possess the kingdom of heaven. That kingdom is not a temporal and earthly dominion, and while the full inheritance is not yet accomplished, the work is begun in them that will make them fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
Law Gospel and Scripture
The sermon on the mount sets forth the very principles once spoken to Moses for Israel, proclaimed from Sinai in the wilderness by the same Christ who afterward spoke them on the mountain when He was set and His disciples came to Him before the multitudes. The New Testament standard there is not lower than the Old, but human duty to God and to fellow men is stated even more strongly because disobedience had confused men about God's claims. Its words are to be studied together with His conflict with Satan and victory in the wilderness in Matthew four, to learn of Him as Teacher and receive His words as bread for the soul, especially in heart-purity and love. That practical teaching repeated the principles of holy living taught to Israel, meant to shape character and govern daily life and not merely formal worship, for the gospel is practical.
The practical obedience taught from the Mount of Blessing is still binding and did not cease with the ceremonial types. Christ was the foundation of the Jewish economy, and when type met antitype in His death the need for sacrificial offerings ceased, but this blessing belongs to what remains. It calls for strict observance of the difference between the sacred and the common given through Moses and still required of modern Israel who have both that instruction and greater light.
On the mount the law was stripped of human traditions and priestly additions and revealed in its true light as God's great moral standard of righteousness. Misinterpretation was corrected, and human traditions and external observances that had displaced true religion were rejected, contrary to the doctrines and practices of the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees. Thereby the true compassionate, merciful, loving character of God was revealed against their misrepresentation. Nothing is to be accepted that cannot be brought to the law and to the testimony, and any teaching not in accordance with the words of God is to be rejected, while the practiced lessons of the sermon give wisdom to shun false paths and enable men to gain heaven.
The blessing magnifies and makes honorable the same law Christ Himself proclaimed from Sinai, setting forth the principles underlying God's great standard of righteousness and laying down light and truth applying to every condition of life and every duty God requires. It explains the spirituality of the law as reaching every phase of life. Keeping the commandments requires the love Christ felt for humanity to be instilled in the heart and manifested in daily life in love to God and to fellow men, sowing seeds of truth that produce holiness and beauty of character, sanctifying actions with a holy, purifying influence wherever it exists, reaching far while time lasts and felt throughout eternity. That far-reaching law condemns every evil action and demands perfect obedience, as He kept the commandments in His sinless life, with sincere acceptance of Him as personal Saviour moving to earnest desire to do duty to God and represent Him in character. If perfectly obeyed there would be no corruption of earth, no oppression and injustice, but love, harmony and joy, with Christian power revealed in the churches, the converting power of the Holy Spirit felt, and thousands added to the church. Its pure gospel standard rules out unjustly gaining wealth at another's expense and requires love for God and neighbor, given in exposition of the precepts of the law so that those departing from the law would return to allegiance and become representatives of the Son and the Father.
The sermon gives Christ's definition of true sanctification, with His holy life as the example for followers to be crucified and buried with Him, made alive by His Spirit, and filled with His life. The gospel is given from the mount of beatitudes just as verily as it was given to Israel when enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, for the Giver is the Christ of the Old Testament Scriptures in prerogative and high authority as Captain of the Lord's host, afterward made flesh dwelling among men full of grace and truth. With the perfect standard of practice in purity, righteousness and love He gives the bright prospect of immortal life in the paradise of God. That teaching removes territorial and man-made distinctions and widens vision to take in sinful, suffering humanity everywhere and in the regions beyond, breaking down partition walls and widening the circle of influence. So strengthened, those who use given talents to impart grace to be refilled with increased grace become laborers together with God, working in His lines without failing or discouragement through asking, seeking and knocking in hope and faith in His immutable promise.
Receiving and Living Blessing
The blessing holds deep meaning and worth as a golden treasure of truth and instruction, yet its meaning is only dimly appreciated and often left out of practical Christian experience. It is meant to be brought into practical experience and incorporated into the life, worked out in personal proved and tried experience to give experimental understanding and knowledge of highest value and to show messengers of God the true position they are called to occupy. Christ had already lived and acted out in His own deeds what He taught before He spoke it, so the beatitudes are to be considered one by one for what they mean in each life. Misunderstanding and disobeying this lesson brought ruin, and treading the same ground of passing it over will bring the same history unless there is speedy repentance, for it corrects the false view of God as a cold despot and calls for walking in all humility of mind before God in a simple, kind, courteous, just, pure, uplifting religion born of love that seeks to please God by righteousness.
It is one of Christ's plainly stated blessings and plain directions in the Sermon on the Mount, a promise attached to a way of life He blessed and calling for study. Those who seek its blessings are to do the work He defines and remain faithful, seeking meekness through faith, prayer, and earnest study of Scripture. Its words show the way to heaven and hold some of the most precious lessons anywhere, to be desired above all other knowledge and studied from the Word kept at hand instead of light reading. Its Scripture words are to be furnished in the mind and repeated at the proper time to people in trial and perplexity who have never risen above their difficulties, especially where Christ is represented to all temperaments, giving health of mind, shielding from temptation, and furnishing reasons for faith that glorify God without offending. Studying and following the sermon as blessings to those who accept the terms laid down provides guidance for the trials of the last days, for Christ pronounces a distinct blessing on those who day by day accept and follow His teaching and receive the Word into good and honest hearts.
Cherishing its truth and heeding its divine requirement contributes to transformation of character that marks God's people. The meek are blessed as they form righteous characters, a standard meant for every age and every class that anyone can reach through faith in Christ by living the life of the Life-giver. Meekness is a Christlike character quality receiving His blessing, among those characters believers are to study and develop, showing by their lives that they are children of God. True happiness comes from the grace of the Spirit bearing fruit in good and righteous actions, in contrast to worldly status, possessions, praise, and honor that do not bring God's favor or love, and those possessing the qualities commended are truly blessed. The blessedness taught is had here below in cheerfulness, peace, and joy in work, requiring the spirit and far-reaching principles of the law of God in the heart, because the state of the heart regulates life and character and without impressing the heart labor is lost. That life reveals the divine nature shining through Christ's humanity, bringing peace and joy to the worker, adopting them as heirs and bestowing heaven's treasures.
The qualities that bring blessing are gained by carrying out godly principles in daily life and relying on Christ's strength. Its teaching is a lesson of practical godliness for believers in every age, truths disciples were to receive carefully from Christ and pass on to others, shaping life rather than being replaced by claims of faith or sanctification that contradict His instruction. It is worth dwelling on often as a clear expression of God's will, correcting evils through words, attitudes, and actions that reflect Christ. Living out the lessons can make a lasting and deeper impression than preaching, for speaking modestly and hiding self in Christ allows the Holy Spirit to dictate words and impress hearts. Disciples obeying as they seek perfection of Christian character serve as lights carrying truth to people in darkness who do not know the way of life and salvation.
The verse describes humble, Christlike workers who follow the Saviour's example of self-denial, remain teachable under His training, and serve without seeking human praise or notice. Their meekness is shown in concern for the needy and in giving glory to God, and God values, honors, sees and rewards their quiet work, bringing them near Christ. Such workers move onward in Christian character while mindful of weakness, helping the needy, practicing self-denial, and giving God the glory. Though they may be unlearned, feel weakness, and be overlooked by those prizing ability, they learn from Christ, serve the needy, seek God's glory rather than human notice, inherit the earth, and are honored by God. Meekness marks Christian service and participation in Christ's labor and its rewards, in contrast to the selfish grasping spirit of excessive wages and misuse of money for God's work, of which very little meekness was present in the publishing houses. In business this rejects dishonest measures, trade tricks, and hoarding in faithful use of talents.
Christ regards the meek, including the ill-used, with compassion, favor, and gladness, and welcomes a condition many would find discouraging. Meekness here is joined with poverty, need, sorrow, lowliness, hardship, being despised, persecuted and bowed down, and Christ works through hearts moved to pity to relieve suffering, seeing great need as opportunity to help where people are. Turning from the world's ambitious favorites whom He passes by, He offers refuge and rest to the lowly who receive His light, life, and love, pouring blessing after blessing as jewels of Christian excellence and greeting the whole human family. He opens arms of refuge, calls to rest, to take His yoke of submission and learn from Him. Meekness gives soft answers to rough questions, pleasant answers to discouraging words, no retaliation when tried by unkind words, no hasty words even when irritated but gentle words bringing sunshine into the heart and smoothing the path, keeping the law of kindness on the lips, living as true gentlemen and gentlewomen resolved not to disappoint Christ, willing to be taught and thus fit subjects for the kingdom who will inherit the earth, and in marriage this patience, forbearance, and kindness can win an unconverted husband to the Saviour.
To obtain the inheritance after the earth is purified and cleansed, when the city of God has descended to earth with a home in that city as members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King, self must be taken in hand now in meekness. This means not letting difficulties pass along unsettled but leaving the gift at the altar and going at once to be reconciled, which few can stand against, while lack of meekness leaves things unsettled which God does not want. Meekness lived out brings a sweet atmosphere, love, a shining countenance, and praise and glory ascending to God and to the Lamb forever. It means standing in the appointed lot in perfect harmony with brethren, strengthening and building up waste places, holding aloft the Bible standard, living the truth, exercising mercy and the love of God, hungering after righteousness with mercy and purity, and being ready for any next work in service, cultivated as part of harmony with others. It is the opposite of ambition and desire to supersede, which do not count as divine acquirements when weighed in the balances of the heavenly sanctuary, and calls for unity, love, and Christian fellowship in learning and obeying instruction rather than following one's own way or accusing and finding fault.
The soul-saving message is for all who will receive it, and those humble in spirit who receive these truths will be converted and God's rebuke for past wrongs removed. The blessing is part of Christ's greeting to the whole human family and of the sermon giving the law of duty and the light of heaven, offering hope and comfort in discouragement. Christ recognizes and blesses the meek whom the ambitious favorites of the world may reject, receiving His light and life and welcoming them into His refuge. The distinct blessing rests on those with good and honest hearts who day by day accept and follow His teaching and receive His word.