Matthew 5:3-13
Today we continue our thoughts on the Beatitudes and how these states or characteristics impact the savour of the salt or the brightness of the light of believers in this world.
Jesus is now describing the happy state of Christian believers who are meek, but I don't quite understand it.
Are they happy because of the spirit in which a meek person is found, because of their attitude to God and those around them - or are they happy because they will reap the reward of inheriting the earth?
And what does this mean - inherit the earth? Doesn't the believer have their eyes focused on their heavenly reward - being with Christ in heavenly lands?
Well, firstly, how do we know a believer is meek? How will their behaviour - the savour of meekness be influencing and effecting those around them?
Strong's and the commentators explain that this characteristic of meekness means being humble, gentle and of a mild disposition.
When we are meek we really believe that God is in control of our lives and can only be good to us. When we are truly believing this and acting in a meek way we will not be resentful, trying to argue or fight against God in the events and circumstances that he allows or brings about in our lives.
It also means that truly knowing what I and you are like as sinners teaches us to more meekly endure the inevitable sins of others towards us.
When we are being meek we humbly rely on God to defend us against the injustice of others towards us rather than relying on ourselves.
Additionally, when we are being meek we trust that God is allowing this injustice and unkindness to bring about our own needed purification and be made more like Christ - and that he will deliver us from it when that needed work is done, in His own time.
Behaving in a meek way is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from complete trust in God's goodness and control over a situation.
But importantly this is a work of the Holy Spirit and not our own will-power.
How this speaks to me today! I hope it does to you too.
Are we in situations which we have been inwardly fighting against?
Have we been allowing our irritated, wound up spirits to influence our speech and behaviour - maybe only to those who are closest to us and with whom we think we can 'be ourselves' but are we being a salt of savour even to them - let alone potentially our children or anybody else?
Perhaps you have been telling the Lord you don't understand why he is allowing this thing - doesn't he know how hard it is making your life? Or perhaps you tell him you don't understand how that person can be so hateful or horrible and unjust to you.
Dear reader, it seems to me that this is asking us, do we really and truly believe that God is good to his children, that he is control, that he loves you?
Can we tell him how hard this thing is to us, how unjust it seems, how sad we find it that somebody can treat us like this, but can we also tell him that we know they are sinners - just like us - and thank him for his forgiveness to us - and pity that person, ask the Lord to subdue their sin - ask him to give you the right spirit of meekness to endure it without angry retaliation?
Can we say to him that we really do believe he loves us and will only do what is good for us to make us more like him?
When we are truly resting in Jesus, and his Spirit is influencing us, then we are happy in the face of adversity, because we are meekly and quietly submitting to the Lord's will for us and trusting him.
We are helped to answer quietly, softly - it turns away anger from us and because of the effect in our own spirit and the consequences of our behaviour on those around us Matthew Henry suggests it promotes our wealth, safety and comfort in this world - thus we 'inherit the earth'.
In conclusion then, the believer with a meek spirit is blessed - or happy- because their quiet, resigned and contented attitude towards troubles and illnesses means that the troubles are felt less.
And because they are more thankful and grateful for the blessings of providence, their overall more serene experience of life helps them to find the maximum enjoyment in it in all conditions.
Their experience of this earth being an 'inheritance' which they have received from their Heavenly Father becomes happier because they are not living it as a time to get and do as much as they can for their own pleasure.
We can well imagine how this characteristic will add to the savour of the believer's salt. The meekness and serenity with which they react to adverse circumstances and people such a contrast to the usual responses. Their lack of angry retaliation - instead pity or sad understanding - for the sins of those who are acting against them an example of the Lord's compassion and mercy for his people.
Let us pray that the Lord will give us more of His Spirit, that we too might display this fruit of meekness, thus enjoying the inheritance of this earth which he has given us and blessing the lives of those around us with our gentle, patient but thankful savour.
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