Blessed Are The Meek

“Blessed Are the Meek” 
By Bro. Willy Ling | 25 May 2025 | Matthew 5:5 

Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:5—“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”—challenges conventional wisdom and remains just as revolutionary today as when He first preached it. The word “blessed” here speaks of being truly happy, fortunate, and fulfilled, not through material wealth or dominance, but through spiritual posture. 

The Sermon on the Mount was given in a time of religious legalism and political oppression, yet Jesus spoke of a counter-cultural truth—one that calls us to quiet strength and humility, rather than power and attention. In today’s noisy, distracted digital world, this message is especially relevant. We live in a time when people seek validation through visibility, but Jesus honours the meek, those who yield and submit to God’s will rather than assert their own. 

Meekness, according to Oxford, is often misunderstood as weakness—being quiet, gentle, and unwilling to express opinion. But the biblical understanding of meekness is vastly different. Bible scholars like John MacArthur describe it as “gentle of spirit,” a kind of strength that is soothing, humble, and submitted to God. Wallace describes meekness as inner equilibrium—not passive or inferior, but composed and self-controlled. Morris further explains that meekness is compatible with great strength, so long as that strength is surrendered to God with humility and dependence. 

Meekness is a choice. It’s not something we are born with, but something we choose to cultivate—to use strength with restraint, to be humble even when we have the power to act otherwise. The key idea is not “Can I?” but “Should I?” True meekness is strength under control, aligned with God’s heart. 

God calls His people to walk worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1) by putting on tenderness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). Meekness should shape how we restore one another (Galatians 6:1), how we interact with others (Titus 3:2), how we live out our wisdom (James 3:13), and how we defend our faith (1 Peter 3:15). It is an essential trait of the Christian life. 

More than that, God values meekness deeply. In 1 Peter 3:4, it says a gentle and quiet spirit is precious in the sight of God—this is not merely an attitude but a spiritual adornment that pleases the Lord. 

Above all, Jesus is the ultimate example of meekness. In Matthew 11:29, He invites us to learn from Him, for He is gentle and lowly in heart, offering rest for our souls. His strength was unmatched, yet He did not use it to assert dominance. When betrayed and arrested (Matthew 26:50–54), Jesus could have called legions of angels, but instead He submitted to God’s plan. His meekness was not weakness, it was purposeful restraint rooted in love. 

True meekness is tested not on good days, but in times of adversity and injustice. Moses, one of the most powerful leaders in Scripture, was described as “very humble, more than all men on earth” (Numbers 12:3). When criticized by Miriam and Aaron, he did not retaliate, and even pleaded for their healing when God judged them (Numbers 12:11). In times of rebellion (Numbers 14 and 16), Moses remained composed, seeking reconciliation over revenge. This reflects that meekness is not vindictive or passive—it is compassionate, forgiving, and grounded in God’s justice (Romans 12:19–20). 

In conclusion, meekness anchors us to the cross. James reminds us that trials produce patience, and patience leads to spiritual maturity (James 1:1–5). Meekness allows us to yield to God even when everything in us wants to fight back. As Philippians 2:8 declares, Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death, and in doing so, gave us the greatest model of surrender and strength. The question for us is: Are we willing to lay down our sword of pride and take up the cross of Christ? That is the heart of meekness—to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. 

Key Takeaway: Meekness is not weakness—it is strength surrendered to God. It is not about having no power, but choosing not to use it for self-gain. In a world that shouts, Jesus calls us to gentleness, humility, and rest—and promises that the meek shall inherit the earth.