Dear Ones:
It was written of Moses, that he was the most meek man in all the earth. (Numbers 12:3) And yet, here was a man who spent forty years in Pharoah’s court, forty years being a shepherd of sheep, and finally, forty years leading the people of Israel to the promised land. What is meekness, and why is it greatness?
Meekness is first and foremost a disposition of heart, an attitude of mind. Jesus, in His call for us all to come unto Him, i.e.”…all that labour and are heavy laden…,” followed the invitation by declaring, “…for I AM MEEK and lowly in heart.” (Matt. 11:28-29) It seems that in all that Jesus says of the kingdom of God, as opposed to the concepts of men, His thoughts are NOT our thoughts, nor his ways our ways…they are high, as the heavens are above the earth. And on this subject of meekness, it is no different. He elevates this matter to the very heights of heaven, for it is an essential part of His nature, He IS meek and lowly. We gain a little insight as to the meaning of meekness by understanding the repercussions of it. When Jesus says that His invitation is open to ALL that will come, He at that moment declares that He is open to receive ALL. He does not step into the realm of men’s thinking, where men compare themselves with one another, and thus, seek to elevate themselves over their peers. Because of this issue of meekness, He is able to place Himself at the disposition of all men, for to Him, there is no difference. Though He is the perfect man, He makes Himself available to ALL humanity, accessible to all, for He too has human flesh. The barriers of “greatness” and reputation among men does not belong to Him, as He sees Himself one of us, able to meet us where we are, and how we are. The whole basis for this attitude of meekness has its foundation in His attitude towards His Father. In that relationship, where the authority and power of God are paramount, He is able to by-pass all the sinful barriers of man, to stretch forth His hand to reach even the “lowliest” and most pitiful of men. He has become man to save us all.
Though we have our supreme example of meekness in Christ, the question becomes, “How can this meekness BE in me?” How can we partake of HIS meekness? And what are the fruits of meekness? How does it reveal itself?
In Genesis 24, we discover Abraham being a very old man. His son Isaac at forty years of age has just lost his mother. Abraham sends his oldest, and most trustworthy servant into Mesopotamia to the house of his relatives, in order to find a wife for Isaac…the one appointed for him. In the course of the story, after the servant arrives in Nahor, he prays: “O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.” (v.12) It is from this point that specific prayer is made, and answered. Indeed, the “God of heaven, and earth,” in His quiet sovereignty was working in all involved. But what we want to glean from this story is this: Here is an individual, as we are. Here is a man, who is a servant, but whose prayers God answers specifically. He gives him success. But what is the key? Is it because of the “greatness, ” the prowess of man, or is it because of his meekness? Twice in this story we find the servant of Abraham WORSHIPPING GOD. “The man bowed his head, and worshipped the Lord.” (v.26) ” His account of this moment was: “I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son.” (v.48) And lastly, “…And it came to pass when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.” (v.52) Abraham’s servant was a meek man, a prayerful man, a faithful man…because he was a worshipful man. His perspective, and vision of God, was such, that pride was not found in his heart. On the contrary, he saw himself to be a lowly servant of Abraham, and of God. There were no barriers to faith here because his vision of God was greater.
True meekness comes from God, from Christ. He gives His meekness as we gaze upon Him in worship. Christ reveals Himself by the Spirit to the seeking heart. He reveals His meekness in its meaning and power to the one who is willing to see, to grasp, and to believe. Lord Jesus, open our eyes to see Thy meekness. Enable us to make it our own by faith. Grant us grace to worship Thee as we ought, in/by the Spirit, and in truth. Then THY meekness shall be revealed in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad