Blessed are the Meek – Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 3 of 8

Bible Study Lesson: Matthew 5: 3-12

“Blessed are the Meek, for they will inherit the earth” – This third of 8 beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) is a direct quotation of Psalm 37:11.

The meaning of Meek

  • A person with humble and gentle heart
  • It describes a person who is kind and considerate to others, even to those who oppose him, who is easily approachable, not prideful or resentful, not temperamental or harsh.
  • It is an outward expression of inward humility, strength and spiritual poise. While others may act aggressively, the Meek walks in godly peace, others may claim their rights, the Meek focuses on his duties, while others may seek revenge, the Meek gives way for judgment of God.
  • It does not imply weak, sad, subdued person or false modesty. But it portrays a man who willfully and joyfully considers his own life worth nothing, when compared to the greatness of God, he has experienced. The words of Paul have similar expression in Phil 3:7-11.

meek 300x240 Blessed are the Meek Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 3 of 8

Meekness in Bible

  • Meekness is often commended in the bible. You will be surprised to see such an emphasis on this quality. (The word ‘Meek’ is used about 22 times in the bible.)
  • It is one of the fruit of Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22 – ‘gentleness’)
  • It is the character, Jesus himself associated with. Matthew 11:29 – “For I am gentle and humble in heart…”
  • It is the mark of disciple of Jesus. (Eph 4:2)
  • Christian leaders are to be meek. (2 Timothy 2:25)

Historical Setting:

  • Consider the historical setting in Jesus’ time, the multi-cultural society consisted of Jews, Romans and Greeks, who often fought for their supremacy.
    • The Jews took pride in their race, being superior to others.
    • The Romans took pride in their power, the greatest empire in those times.
    • The Greeks took pride in their knowledge, the greatest minds of that age.
  • Notice, Jesus did not assert the prideful or the aggressor, but rather the ‘Poor in Spirit’ and the ‘Meek’.

The Promise: Inheritance

  • What an amazing promise and reward, God gives to those who are meek! – “They will inherit the earth.”
  • There are more than 200 instances of the word ‘inherit’ or its derivatives in old testament.The patriarchs and the prophets looked forward to the ‘Promise land’ as a fulfillment of great blessings.
  • Inheritance comes as a legacy and gift. (Bible study on Spiritual Gifts)
  • The meek will be the heirs and partakers of the Kingdom of God.

The more I study the beatitudes, the more I realize that these characteristics are not something you can get instantly. It is a subtle, gradual change. There are not set rules to achieve them. Only thing you can do is to allow God to completely transform you from within. And it is very difficult to give up control of our life and let God be in driving seat. (I am talking about Christians.)

Prayer:
“Change me from within; change my heart and let me be a person, you want me to be.”

Other Resource: The Beatitudes: Developing Spiritual Character (John Stott Bible Studies) Blessed are the Meek Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 3 of 8

Part 1: Blessed are the Poor in Spirit: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 2: Blessed are those Who Mourn: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 3: Beatitudes: Blessed are the Meek

Part 4: Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 5: Blessed are the Merciful: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 6: Blessed are the Pure in heart: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 7: Blessed are the Peacemakers: Beatitudes Bible Study Series

Part 8: Beatitudes: Blessed are the Persecuted (The link will be added as the lesson is available online.)

Provided by Bibleseo

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rambabu – Testimony of Hindu Brahmin from Karnataka

Image
Rambabu – Testimony of Hindu Brahmin from Karnataka Rambabu comes from a very well educated orthodox Brahmin family. His father is a professor in English from a reputed College. His mother is also an English teacher. He has 2 siblings who are both lecturers in English. The family belongs to the highest Hindu caste of Brahmins. Since childhood Rambabu grew up listening to many mythological stories from his grandmother. She used to say that in olden days, it was known that because we cannot see God physically in the world, he has created Brahmans in the world. All the thousands of gods live in the Brahmins. Rambabu from his childhood would perform all religious duties in two different temples. He would pray and perform “puja” every morning and night. Rambabu knew all the religious traditions so well that other people would invite him to perform religious activities in their homes. He was such strict Brahmin that he would
Read more

Mahatma Gandhi admired Jesus and His teachings but did not follow "Christianity"

Image
As Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” See, that’s a problem. And it’s not that I expect Christians to be perfect. Far from it. But if we’re ever going to be justified in claiming Jesus as the model for our lives, it might help first if there was more of a resemblance. Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most respected leaders of modern history. A Hindu, Gandhi nevertheless admired Jesus and often quoted from the Sermon on the Mount. Once when the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, "Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?" Gandhi replied, "Oh, I don't reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ." Apparently Gandhi's rejection of Christianity grew out of an incident that happened when he was a young man practi
Read more

The Story of Sadhu Sundar Singh- his encounter with Jesus

Image
His Family & Religious Background One hundred and twelve years ago on September 1889, Sundar Singh was born to Sher Singh of Rampur, Punjab in northern India. His mother, a deeply religious woman, nurtured him in the noble traditions of the Sikhs. Sundar often spoke of his mother with much love and respect because of the good foundation she laid for his life to come. Little did anyone know what God was about to do with this keenly intelligent and disciplined young man. He was raised in the luxury of his family's wealth. As a Sikh, Sundar was taught about Hinduism and came along with his parents to Hindu and Sikh temples. By the age of seven he had already memorized Bhagavadgita , the intricate Hindu dialogue containing spiritual life lessons. At sixteen, not only had he mastered the Vedas , the ancient sacred books of Hinduism, but he had also read Qur'an , the sacred book of Islam. He then got acquainted with some sadhus who taught him Yoga
Read more