Last Saturday, we continued our journey through the beatitudes focusing on “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matt.5:5
I can’t imagine how transformative this must have been for those hearing Jesus’ message. They were under Roman oppression so they only saw dominance and aggression as a means to gain authority. But Jesus was completely opposite. He didn’t assert his power. He used his power to heal and to love (and He still does today!)
“His gift of grace is in direct opposition to the vanity of the proud mindset of self effort, whereby people strive to prove themselves superior to others. Gift and reward are opposites. Humility attracts grace.” James 4:6 (Mirror)
The Greek word for meekness is Praus, used to describe a warhorse that was trained for battle. They had immense strength, power and courage in complete obedience to the rider. A warhorse is calm under pressure. Praus is trusting God’s ways and not forcing our own. It is not passive or timid but having self restraint.
The first time I went to Cambodia, I visited a remote village to serve in whatever way was needed. One of the biggest needs was to comb lice out of the young girls’ hair, which I was happy to do. After I finished, one of the local women who helped run an NGO for victims of trafficking asked me to speak to their staff and to some of the young girls who were rescued. Obviously we don’t serve to gain favor or to get anything in return. It’s often the result or overflow of preferring others. Jesus served the disciples, he washed their feet. They witnessed him raise the dead with all authority, but he was showing them what real power looked like through servanthood and kindness.
The more we surrender our ego, our need to be first or right, Jesus’ strength shows up in ways that we didn’t know were possible. Recently, God has been showing me that meekness sometimes looks like holding back my opinions for the sake of others (especially if it is feeding into division or injuring my relationships.) Focusing on our differences divides us and causes more distance. And the more distance between us, the easier it is to judge and forget what unifies us.
Jesus, help us to grow in meekness. Show us what that looks like in our lives every day. Open our eyes to the full inheritance you paid for us to freely receive!
Love, Karena
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