Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  – Matthew 5: 5

I heard a great definition of meekness:  Absolute power under perfect control.  I see it or hear about it every once in a while and it reminds me of how I am to be.  I get to read about it and see perfectly what it looks like every time I read Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John.

I recently had a great conversation with a man who told me how he could have absolutely annihilated another man physically and/or verbally because of something this man was saying and doing.  Instead of “putting him in his place,” the man I talked to chose the high road and simply walked away.  It wasn’t that he didn’t want to inflict harm; he just really believed that Jesus was changing his heart because he is absolutely sure that he would have been incapable of walking away from that fight just a few short years ago.  Of course, there was an audience that witnessed the exchange, so other men quickly uttered their disbelief and let him know exactly and in detail what they would have done.  I get a front row seat to witness this type of physical, alpha male posturing every day with students.  It is so sad that for most, that junk never goes away.

I thought for a long while after our conversation and Matthew 5:5 came to mind.  Ultimately, it is people like this man who will inherit and rule the earth.  It seemed impossible 2000 years ago, and it sure seems impossible right now.  The current reigning beatitude is “temporarily satisfied are the prideful, for they shall use any means necessary to get their way.”  I can only imagine a world full of people who are the opposite, people with a mild temper, who are gentle, and not so easily provoked.

According to this teaching of Jesus, the new heaven and the new earth will be populated with meek people who have learned to let stuff go in light of Christ and in light of eternity.  Unfortunately, idolatry is rampant in America and each person has become his or her own idol.  America has to currently be an unprecedented society of narcissists.    Everyone seems to have such staunch opinions and even has their own shrine via social media to express them.  When someone speaks ill of our idol, we get mad, lash out, and then make sure everyone knows that we got offended.

You and I, because we know the Lord Jesus Christ, are not to be this way . . . at least not if we want to be blessed.

The meek shall inherit the earth.

Lord, help me show everyone I come in contact with today what this looks like.

Later

Adam