The Order of the Beatitudes
In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress probably one of the
moving scenes would be the moment when Christian’s heavy burden was loosened
from his shoulders and fell off his back at the cross. Surely it was the most
memorable time for him. But then, he soon realized that was not the end, but
just the beginning – the beginning of his salvation journey. From there, he had
to go through many dangers and trials – from the Valley of Humiliation, to
Vanity Fair, to Doubting Castle and Giant Despair, to the River of Death, then
finally to the Gate of the Holy City. In this book John Bunyan teaches us
salvation is a life-long journey.
In the same way, the Beatitudes tell us a Christian life is a long journey. The Beatitudes don’t describe the process how to become a Christian. Instead, they tell us what a true Christian looks like – the distinguishing marks of a Christian. And there’s an order to the Beatitudes, and each one propels us toward the next. By grace through faith we are saved. We’re given new life, new nature, new heart. Then the first thing we realize is that we are unworthy and undeserved to receive God’s extravagant love. We become aware of our spiritual poverty. We realize the gap between our new status (God’s beloved; the person we’re supposed to be) and our reality today (where we are). So we mourn over our sinful nature. In this humiliating process we become meek and lowly. God continues to do internal work, plowing the soil of the heart and transforming us. We become more and more thirsty for righteousness, merciful and caring, pure and holy in heart. Then, our Christian life becomes noticeable and fruitful so that everyone can see it. We become peacemakers in this broken, divided world. Since peacemaking disturbs the status quo, that may provoke resistance and opposition. In the midst of persecution, we stand firm, stay the course, rejoice and be glad.
What Meekness Is Not
Today we will explore the third
beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” First, we
will start with what meekness is not.
Meekness is not a natural quality.
Here Jesus does not refer to those who are by nature mild-tempered. Some people
are mild because their mother or father or grandmother was mild-mannered. That
is a good quality, but Jesus doesn’t refer to those certain people who are mild
by nature. All Christians are meant
to have and manifest all of the eight qualities, including meekness. Meekness
is not a mild-temper. It is not a natural quality.
Meekness is also not something we can acquire by ourselves. It is not something we can learn in school. It is not something we can inherit. It is not man-made, but God-given.
What Meekness Is
So what is meekness?
Merriam-Webster dictionary says that the word meekness means “a mild, moderate, humble, or submissive quality.” William
Barclay points out that the Greek word for “meek” was the word often used to
describe an animal which had been tamed to obey the command of its master. Suppose
there is a strong animal like a wild horse or ox. It might take some time and
effort, but once they are tamed, they are able to do a great deal of work,
always obedient to the will of their master. They are not “week,” but they are
“meek.” Energy out of control is dangerous; energy under control is powerful. Energy under control - that’s the image
of “meekness.”
Meek people have two qualities: surrendered will (yielded will to their master) and indomitable spirit. Think of a man like Paul. He had a strong character. Before his conversion, he was not meek. He was untamed. He was bigoted and boastful. He brutally persecuted all Christians and sought to destroy them. On the way to Damascus, Jesus said to him: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (Acts 26:14). The goads referred to the tools in the harness of the oxen to keep them under control. God put the bridle of grace upon him, taming him and redirecting his energies constructively. After his conversion, Paul still has a strong character. Paul is Paul. But now he is meek. He is greatly persecuted and falsely accused. But in his letter to the church of Corinth who said such unkind things about him and challenged his leadership, Paul writes to them this way: “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it. When we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world” (1 Cor 4:12-13). It is a wonderful example of meekness. The meek are the ones who stand for the truth and die for it if it’s the Master’s will.
Meekness is incompatible with weakness. Rather, meekness is compatible with great strength – strength to endure, strength to forgive, strength to love. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect example of meekness. He was patient and long-suffering, when he suffered unjustly. Peter describes Jesus’ meekness this way: “When he was insulted, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23). Jesus completely surrendered himself to the Father’s will and always stood for truth with indomitable spirit. That is what it means to be meek.
Easy Yoke
As I shared earlier, meekness is
not something we can manufacture by ourselves. It is supernaturally given and
produced by the Holy Spirit when we are born again in Christ. But meekness is
also one of the fruits of the Holy
Spirit. How does the seed grow and bear fruit? In his parable of the sower
Jesus says that the seed bears fruit with
patient endurance (Luke 8:15). Jesus also says, “Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit
by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me”
(John 15:4).
Another metaphor I want to share with you is the image of bearing the yoke. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30, KJV). First, what is a yoke? Literally, a yoke is a wooden frame joining two animals (usually oxen). In Jesus’ time it was common that farmers used to train young oxen to plow by partnering them with stronger and more mature oxen. The job of the younger ox was simply to follow in the same direction and keep pace with the leader ox. The older ox carried most of the weight and understood the commands of the plow driver. As long as the young ox followed the older ox, everything was fine. But if the younger ox decided to speed up or lag behind, the work became much more difficult.[1]
This is how we bear the fruit of meekness – by sharing the yoke of Christ daily, following in the same direction and keeping pace with him. Why did Jesus say it is an “easy” yoke? The yoke is easy, not because the burden is light and comfortable, but because we are yoked to Jesus and he carries most of the weight. That’s why the yoke is easy and bearable no matter how heavy the burden is. So then, what precisely is the yoke of Christ for us? The yoke can refer to anything that helps us stay close to him. It can be all spiritual disciplines – prayer and fasting, journaling, Bible reading, worship, fellowship, service, etc. The yoke also can be any difficult circumstances – illness, health issues, financial challenges, loss of job, relational problems, etc. As long as we are yoked to Christ, the yoke will be easy and we will bear the fruit of meekness.
Reward of Meekness
So then, what is the reward of
meekness? Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” In a word, the reward of meekness
is contentment (as of possessing the whole
world). Under the yoke of grace, Paul became meek and tasted the reward of
meekness, that is, contentment. In his letter to the church in Philippi, Paul
says, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be
content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know
what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in
want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil 4:11-13). Under
the yoke of grace, we too rest content with just who we are and where we are
right now – as long as we are walking
close to Jesus.
As I close, let me share the prayer of the one who is meek:
I asked for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I had asked for,
but eveything that I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered;
I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
The quality of meekness is for all Christians. The gift of contentment is for you and me. Let us come to Jesus today and every day. Let us share the yoke with Christ, following him wherever he leads and keeping in step with him moment-by-moment. And our soul will find rest and say it with contentment, “Lord, not my will, but yours be done.” Amen.
[1]Kerry Weems, “A Yoke for Rest?” https://www.faithgateway.com/yoke-rest-jesus/#.YoBb_ujMJD-
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