BLESSED ARE THE GENTLE!
One day, my wife Wilma and I
visited a farm in our small town, Sharon, to buy plants for our church and home
garden. As we were leaving, I pulled out of the parking lot in front of a
pickup truck driver, whom I believed was at a safe distance. The driver looked
angry and honked loudly at me, then continued tailgating to intimidate me. When
I slowed to pass a stopped truck carefully, the driver behind me grew even more
irritated and honked loudly again.
My wife said, "Don't
drive rashly, giving in to his anger." I stayed within the speed limit
and, at a traffic light, chose a different route to avoid this unreasonable
driver. In similar situations, we have sometimes encountered rude gestures from
young, arrogant drivers. Later, when we reached home, we prayed for his soul to
be saved. Why is it that, in our culture, more people are becoming impatient,
rude, arrogant, and enraged on the road, especially when things don't go their
way? Incidents like these are sure signs of the end times. II Timothy 3:1-5
How can we, as followers of
Christ, live differently in a culture that values less morality and shows less
care for others? I believe the answer is found in following Christ's teachings
and helping others do the same. We aim to rediscover the counter-cultural
messages of Christ that he shared on a mountaintop with the crowds, his close
followers, and all the believers.
We have examined two
Beatitudes. First, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom." Second, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be
comforted." Now, we will look at the third one, "Blessed are the
meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5. We must remember one
thing as we study the Beatitudes: they are not spoken impulsively by Jesus but
in a logical order, with each leading to the next. For example, those who
recognize their spiritual poverty would mourn over their own sins and the sins
of others; they are the ones who will be meek or gentle and are blessed. I
titled the sermon "Blessed Are the Gentle."
The words "meek or
meekness" are not commonly used in everyday conversation; furthermore,
meekness is often confused with weakness. For our study, instead of meekness, I
am using a more familiar word: Gentleness. "Blessed are the gentle, for
they shall inherit the earth." Matt 5:5 (NASB). This beatitude especially
surprises people because it runs completely counter to the Spirit of this
world. "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth!"
It suggests that the
conquest or possession of the world belongs to the gentle among all people.
However, the world believes differently: it is through military power,
strength, and toughness that people think one can conquer. People assume that
the more you assert yourself and show aggressiveness and control, the more you
will succeed and win in life.
For such people, Jesus'
words may serve as a harsh wake-up call. Jesus did not say that the arrogant,
proud, rich, or powerful will inherit the earth, but that the gentle will.
Therefore, we need to understand what Biblical Gentleness means, identify examples
of gentleness in the scriptures, and learn to cultivate and demonstrate it. The
world could use a few gentle people!
I. What is Gentleness?
Let's start by clarifying
what gentleness is not. Loyd Jones lists several negatives first before
explaining what true gentleness really is. First, it is not a natural trait. It
is not a matter of natural disposition because all Christians are meant to be
like this regardless of their natural temperament or psychology, is meant to be
like this. It is not apathy or being pleasant and soft.
Neither does it mean
weakness, compromise, or peace at any price. It is compatible with great
strength, authority, and power.
A gentleman is someone who
believes and stands for truth, and is willing to die for it if necessary. It is
not merely a matter of outward manner but also, and still more, of inward Spirit."[1]
What, then, is gentleness? Lloyd-Jones sums it up this way:
Gentleness is fundamentally a true perception of oneself,
expressed through attitude and behavior toward others. It reflects my attitude
toward myself and is manifested in my relationships with others. Lloyd-Jones
adds, "A gentle man is not proud of himself; he does not in any sense
glory in himself and does not assert himself. You see, it is contrary to the
popular psychology of the culture, which says, 'assert yourself, and express
your personality."
"John Stott provides a modern
interpretation of meekness, asserting that it represents a balance between
excessive anger and complete absence of anger. Contrary to misconceptions,
meekness is not synonymous with weakness; rather, it embodies the gentleness of
the strong, who exercise control over their strength."[2]
Here are a few biblical figures, aside from our
Lord himself, who, despite their natural temperaments, exhibited gentleness.
II. Biblical Examples of Gentleness
Abraham demonstrated an exemplary
gentlemanly attitude when he allowed his nephew, Lot, a younger man, to choose
the land first and then accepted what remained without quarreling. Genesis 13. Moses
refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter and the privileges
that come with it; instead, he chose to be mistreated along with God's people,
hence regarded as the meekest man on earth. Hebrews 11:24-25. King Saul, out of
jealousy, pursued David to kill him, but David never retaliated. Instead, after
he became King of Israel, he showed kindness to Saul's grandson, Mephibosheth
(2 Samuel 9:1-12). We remember him as a man after God's own heart.
Jesus exemplified gentleness. Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to me,
all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find
rest for your souls." Dane Ortlund, in his book Gentle and Lowly,
envisions this gentle Savior this way.
"Jesus is not
trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, or easily exasperated. He is the most
understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed
finger but open arms."[3]
Paul describes how Jesus personified gentleness in Philippians 2:1-11 and urges
the believers to have the same mindset as Christ in their relationships with
one another. What blessings are in store for those who are gentle?
III. The Gentle Will Inherit
the Earth.
"Blessed are the
gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." Matt 5:5 (NASB). This is certainly
not the picture of our world. Who leads the nations today? It is often the rich,
powerful, and arrogant. Then what does it mean, and when will the gentle
inherit the earth? According to Lloyd Jones, "the gentle already inherit
the earth in this life, in this way. A truly gentle man is always satisfied; he
is already content."[4]
They might be poor, but are very rich in Christ.
In Paul's words, the gentle
believers are: "known yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet living on,
beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making
many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything." II Cor 6:9-10.
But the ultimate inheritance is not on this side of the world, but when Christ
returns, we will become co-heirs with him, inheriting everything, and will
reign with him forever in His everlasting Kingdom.
Romans 8:17, "Now if we
are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God—and co-heirs with Christ, if
indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
In the meantime, as God's children and co-heirs of Christ, let us have Christ's
mindset and reflect the heart of our Savior and Lord, as Paul says: "Let
our gentleness be evident to all." Phil 4:5:
Let us show kindness in
everyday relationships. In workplaces, families, and friendships, our
gentleness is demonstrated through speaking graciously, listening carefully,
and not seeking revenge when wronged. Kindness is not innate; it can be
cultivated, as it is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Gal 5:22-25,
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there
is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the
Spirit."
