Sermon XII - Meek Persons Subjects for Christ to Comfort - Matthew 5:5
previously possessed a wayward and peevish temperament, and oh, the sins you have committed in your waywardness. Yet, the Lord has commended meekness to you. The text states that the meek are blessed, and another Scripture says it is highly regarded by God. May the Lord grant us meek spirits so that we may be blessed.
SERMON XII
OR Meek persons Subjects for Christ to comfort "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5
God does not value the worldly treasures of gold, silver, land, possessions, and crowns. These things mean nothing to Him. As stated in Isaiah 40, all the nations of the earth are like a drop in a bucket, less than nothing in His eyes. God does not regard the nations with all their grandeur and glory. However, a meek and quiet spirit is highly esteemed by God. It holds great worth in His sight.
Even though the nations of the earth are worth no more than a speck of dust, the meek are blessed.
Furthermore, the meek are blessed because they are the ones Christ is anointed by the Father to comfort and preach good news to.
Surely, they are blessed. Just as Christ is anointed by the Father to preach the Gospel to the poor and those who mourn, He is also anointed to preach good news to the meek. In Isaiah 61:1, it is
written, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek." The truth is, the meek are sad and disconsolate. Therefore, Christ, as designated by the Father, proclaims good news to the meek. Hence, they must be blessed since the Father has sent Christ to preach good news to them.
Thirdly, they are surely blessed because meekness, the ability to moderate and control anger, is considered the glory of God Himself.
In Exodus 34:6, when God wanted to reveal His glory, one aspect of it was His ability to moderate His anger when provoked and to be patient with humanity. This is the glory of the Father. Similarly, in Psalm 45:4, a prophetic psalm about Christ, it is stated, "You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore
God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword upon your thigh, O most mighty, with your glory and your majesty. And in your majesty ride prosperously because of truth, humility, and righteousness."
Here, the majesty and glory of Christ are described, and meekness is one attribute that bestows glory and majesty upon Him. Therefore, blessed are the meek.
Meekness is also an evidence of their election and a fruit of God's eternal love towards them. Whenever true Christian meekness is present, we can conclude that the soul was predestined by God from eternity to eternal life. Colossians 3:12 states, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and long-suffering." These are the fruits of election. If one desires to demonstrate that they are among the elect of God, they should display mercy, kindness, and meekness, not wealth, natural abilities, or worldly honors. Meekness, loving kindness, and longsuffering are the true indicators of God's election. Hence, they are blessed.
Moreover, meekness is a special fruit of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the saints, demonstrating His presence within them. Galatians
5:22 provides a comprehensive list of the works of the flesh and the fruits of the Spirit. When describing the fruits of the Spirit, the passage states, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such, there is no law." While many words describe the fruits of the Spirit, most of them are closely related to meekness. Love and a meek spirit bear great resemblance to each other. Meek individuals experience the sweetness of joy like no other. They possess a peaceable disposition. They exemplify long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, and faithfulness. Meekness is present in all these qualities.
The Holy Spirit mentions numerous virtues closely associated with meekness to emphasize the excellence of this grace. These virtues resemble one another like kinsmen. Meekness is the fruit of the Spirit, while passion and anger are the fruit of the flesh and the devil.
Thus, blessed are the meek.
Meekness also demonstrates magnanimity; it reveals a noble and courageous spirit. Many believe that their passion and obstinacy are indications of a brave and lively spirit. Froward individuals, especially during fits of anger, take great pride in the boldness of their spirits. However, a meek spirit is the most courageous in the world. This is the judgment of the Holy Spirit in Proverbs 16:32, which states, "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." What greater bravery and magnanimity can be found than in soldiers who conquer cities? We consider them to possess exceptional and courageous spirits. Yet, the meek are regarded by the Lord as the most brave and excellent spirits. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city." Ruling one's spirit with the grace of meekness is a more courageous feat and is
highly esteemed by God. Scripture speaks abundantly about meekness to emphasize how blessed the meek are.
Furthermore, we find that meekness aligns with walking worthily of our calling. Ephesians 4:1 says, "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called." How can we walk worthy of our calling? The Lord has called us out of darkness into light, and He desires us to walk worthily of this calling. A poor soul may wonder how it is possible for such a lowly creature to walk worthily of such a glorious calling. What can one do to demonstrate walking worthily of this calling? If there is any way to testify to walking worthily of God's glorious mercy, it is by displaying humility, meekness, long-suffering, and love towards one another. This is the path to walk worthily of our calling. It is the path of walking worthily of all the mercies of God, including His deliverance from bondage. When we can forbear one another with meekness, humility, and long-suffering, it is a manifestation of walking worthily of our calling.
Now, I turn to the portion of the text: "For they shall inherit the earth."
It's a peculiar promise, as strange as any we find in Scripture. It goes against worldly logic, defying all rational understanding. "Blessed are the meek," it declares. You might question, "Are they truly blessed?
They may gain entry into heaven when they pass away, but in their lifetime, they are likely to suffer great injustice." If we endure wrongs and tolerate those who harm us, we may face an abundance of injustices and swiftly lose everything we possess. This line of reasoning stems from a carnal heart. However, if you dare to trust
Jesus Christ, he professes that among all people, it is the meek who
will inherit the earth. They will experience a better earthly life than others.
Now you might ask, "Can inheriting the earth truly bring them blessings?" The answer is yes. Inheriting the earth in this context represents great blessedness and serves as a clear indication that God has blessed a person. It doesn't mean they will accumulate worldly riches, but rather that they will possess the earth as children of God. While others may receive earthly possessions through God's generous bounty, and it is not wrong for them to have such things, they do not inherit them as co-heirs with Jesus Christ. Wicked individuals may possess worldly goods bestowed upon them by God to sustain them temporarily, like a judge or prince providing sustenance to a criminal for a few days until their execution.
However, they do not inherit these possessions. They lack the rightful ownership that comes with being co-heirs with Jesus Christ.
Thus, it is a blessed thing to have all our rights restored in Christ, even in relation to earthly possessions. This love from God originates from the same source as Jesus Christ Himself. Although the things enjoyed are outward and material, those who have the fatherly care of God upon them in this world, providing for their needs and infusing the comforts of creation with the influences of His love, are truly blessed. They recognize God's love in these provisions, and all things in the earthly realm are sanctified for their eternal benefit.
Therefore, blessed are the meek.
Furthermore, the Scriptures reveal that Christ has other intentions for His saints on earth. It is said that there will be new heavens and a new earth, a place where righteousness dwells. This blessedness may be fulfilled when the new earth comes into being. In Revelation 5:10, it is written, "And hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests, and we shall reign on the earth." I will not delve into the controversies
surrounding this matter but accept the words of Scripture as they are presented. It is evident that in some way or another, the saints will reign on the earth. Therefore, the meek will have a significant share in this reign with Christ, even in the earthly realm.
But why the meek and not others? Certainly, all God's people will share in the inheritance of this world. It is said of Abraham in Romans 4 that he was the heir of the world, and thus all the descendants of Abraham inherit his blessings. Each of them, like
Abraham, becomes an heir of the world here on earth as well as in heaven. However, there is a particular connection between the promise of inheriting the earth and meekness. Let me explain this in various aspects.
Firstly, the meek are not inclined to engage in disputes as readily as others. They prefer peace and tranquility, and as a result, they enjoy their possessions more comfortably on this earth. Individuals who are quarrelsome, passionate, and prone to litigation often squander their inheritances and destroy the fortunes left to them by their parents. Many possess such dispositions that they would resent contributing a mere five shillings to a good cause, even though they accumulate wealth through legal battles, spending hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Have you not heard them say, "I will have my way, even if it costs me a considerable sum"? Such individuals are obstinate and foolish. However, the meek preserve their wealth and live more prosperously on this earth. This is the first advantage the meek have in inheriting the earth.
Secondly, though they possess only a little, the meek enjoy it with peace and contentment. A simple meal of greens shared in peace is more satisfying than a lavish feast marred by conflict. Consider a poor couple sitting together, sharing a small piece of bread and
humble fare, yet living in harmony and meekness. They experience greater comfort on this earth than wealthy individuals who have grand tables but possess froward spirits. These individuals cannot find peace even when their meals are served flawlessly. They complain that the meat is poorly cooked or the bread is improperly baked. They find fault with their servants, saying, "This servant does this and that." Those who are engrossed in worldly affairs and possess froward spirits never truly enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Conversely, the meek, though they possess only a little, savor their portion with contentment, peace, and quiet. Consequently, they can be said to inherit the earth more than others. In truth, you cannot fully enjoy the things of the world without inner tranquility.
Thirdly, the meek shall inherit the earth because meekness is a quality that no one wishes to harm. "Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing good?" Those who live meekly and peacefully within a community will find support in their cause. Therefore, they experience more benefits on this earth than others.
Fourthly, the meek have a greater appeal. For example, if you were seeking a servant for your household, would you not inquire about their meekness and tranquility? If you learned that they were froward and prone to anger, you would hesitate to invite them into your home. However, if you discovered that they possessed a meek and peaceful spirit, you would say, "I want this servant, even if it means paying them higher wages." Here, you can see how the meek inherit the earth more than others. The same principle applies when one seeks a spouse. One of the primary qualities sought in a potential partner is a meek spirit. Even if they lack material wealth, a meek and quiet individual is often preferred. Thus, meekness plays a crucial role in earthly inheritance. If a person were traveling, they would choose an inn where the host and staff possess a peaceful
disposition rather than another establishment where such tranquility is absent. Meekness greatly contributes to the inheritance of the earth, even in these matters.
Fifthly, wherever meekness exists, the soul surrenders its cause to God. Regardless of the wrongs a meek individual endures in the world, they entrust their cause to God. In doing so, they experience a great blessing on this earth. Consider this: a meek person possesses an untroubled heart, even in the face of injustice. Consequently, they can interest God in their cause. Once you have involved God in your cause, you are more likely to succeed. It is akin to making a debt the king's responsibility. In such a case, the debt is more likely to be repaid than if you attempted to resolve it through your own strength or by seeking allies. If you can surrender your cause to God with meekness, entrusting it to Him, you are bound to find success.
Through this, you will fulfill your desires and wishes, even here on this earthly plane. I can provide an excellent Scripture to support this claim. In Numbers 12, Moses is commended for his meekness. It is said, "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." Ambrose stated that Moses' meekness brought him greater honor than his mighty deeds.
Chrysostom explained why God chose to speak face to face with Moses rather than any other person—it was because of his extraordinary meekness. The Jewish tradition holds that when
Moses was about to die, God embraced him and took his soul.
Regardless of the accuracy of this tradition, the soul is precious to God. If God were to extract a soul in this manner, it would surely be
Moses' soul. Observe how Moses interested God in his cause and how God responded. In Numbers 12, we find that Moses was wronged.
Miriam and Aaron spoke against him because of his marriage to an Ethiopian woman. They questioned whether the Lord spoke only through Moses, casting doubt on his status. Yet, Moses did not
retaliate or cry out against them. Instead, he remained meek. The Scripture states that Moses was very meek, and as a result, the Lord spoke suddenly, commanding Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to come out to the Tabernacle. The Lord's response was swift. It was as if God declared, "Who is this servant Moses, my meek servant, who has been wronged? I will promptly appear on his behalf." The Lord spoke suddenly, as if bursting forth from heaven. Does it not demonstrate that the less stirred Moses' anger was, the more stirred God's anger became to vindicate him? You, on the other hand, swiftly become angry, but by doing so, you fail to involve God in your cause.
However, if you were meek, God's anger would be kindled on your behalf. Do you not think that when God's anger is kindled against those who wrong you, He will rectify your cause more effectively than your own anger ever could? Therefore, I encourage you to adopt the spirit of God's servants from the past, such as Moses and David.
Observe how they interested God in their cause and how God responded.
Sixthly, the meek shall receive blessings here on earth because there are numerous gracious promises made to them that offer great mercy to help them in their earthly journey. This promise, found in Psalm
37:11, existed during the time of the Law. Moreover, Christ reveals that the intent of the promise remains intact in the Gospel. Although the promises of outward blessings in other places are generally stated as godliness having promise in this life, Christ specifically singles out particular promises for the meek. In Psalm 25:9, it is written that the meek will be guided in judgment and taught the Lord's way. What an exceptional promise! It holds more value than all your possessions. If you were familiar with Scripture, you would consider this promise to be worth thousands. Show me another Scripture where the qualification of the subject is mentioned twice in so few words. The Lord loves the subject here; it seems He delights in pronouncing the
very name. He does not merely say, "The meek will be guided in judgment and taught His way." No, the Lord loves to utter the name,
"O the meek, the meek," twice in succession. He loves them, guides them in judgment, and teaches them His way. This promise pertains to guidance and instruction in any matter. For instance, consider a person facing a challenging business situation, unsure of how to navigate their path. A meek individual, when faced with adversity, seeks to quiet their spirit by resting in God. Once their spirit is calm, they turn to the promise, saying, "Lord, haven't You said that You will guide the meek in judgment? You will not abandon them to their own thoughts and spirits. The counsel of the froward leads to ruin, but You guide the meek in judgment. You have promised to guide me in ordering my affairs in this world if I can overcome my anger. And nothing aids understanding and judgment more than meekness and tranquility." In Proverbs 17:27, it is written, "He that hath knowledge spareth his words, and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit." In the original Hebrew, it says, "A man of understanding is of a cool spirit." Hot-tempered individuals, those with quick tempers and fiery spirits, believe they possess more understanding than others. But the Holy Spirit declares otherwise. The person of understanding has a calm spirit. Meekness offers great advantages in natural ways to help one's spirit, but even more so when there is a promise that God will teach them. There are numerous other promises in Scripture that support this notion. In Psalm 76:9, it is stated that when God arises to judge and save, He pays no mind to froward spirits but ensures He looks after the meek. In Psalm 149:4, it is written, "For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation." Meekness is a beautiful grace, and the Lord will adorn the meek with salvation. Furthermore, in Isaiah
29:19, there is a promise to the same effect. However, there is one more notable promise in Zephaniah 2:3 when times of calamity befall. It says, "Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have