“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto y our souls.” Matthew 11:29
What does meekness mean? Scripture tells us that Moses was the most meek man in all the earth in his day, at the same time being a great man. The Lord Jesus came declaring that He, the Son of God, eventually to be revealed as the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings, that He was meek and lowly of heart, and yet He was great, the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace. What is meekness from God’s perspective, which opens the door for Him to work mightily through an individual to bring about the greatest possible blessing to the “fallen sons of men?”
John the Baptist was a very singular, and particular individual, one who was endowed with such power by the Spirit, that he came preaching Christ, preparing the “way of the Lord,” so that Israel would recognize Christ to some extent, and be brought to faith in Him. John’s power, which distinguished him as being by Jesus’ own words, …none greater born of women than John the Baptist, was such because of his meekness. What is this meekness? It is a characteristic of mind and heart, given by the Spirit of God, whereby one recognizes the truth concerning oneself, but also that which is of God. The true recognition of what one is as compared to Christ, and thus, to God, and the corresponding humbling of oneself before God, yielding all to Christ as Savior and Lord, is true meekness. But there is another aspect of it, and it has to do with one’s relationship with men, even sinful men in this world. John came speaking of Christ as being so very much above him, that he was not worthy to unloose the latchet of his sandals. Jesus came, not to be ministered to by men, but to minister to mankind, choosing to be a servant, that He should be able to reach any and all who would truly seek Him. Though John the Baptist, and the Lord Jesus, gave no ground concerning sin in their attitude towards it, and though both had bodies like the rest of mankind, subject to the weaknesses associated with such, yet John and Christ, out of devotion to the Father, and compassion for the lost, did seek those who were “dying.” John’s meekness was limited by his capacity to use it, for he was a sinful man like all other men, except Christ. But Christ, was different from Moses, John the Baptist, and every other man, for His meekness was perfect and powerful. Christ, by the Spirit, possessed the power to humble Himself totally under the mighty hand of the Father, and at the same time, lower Himself to seek to save, and serve, the lowliest of men, those who had the greatest of needs. Beyond the very evident proof of Christ’s meekness being His faithfulness to obey the Father, regardless of the opinions and opposition of men, He made Himself available to all that would seek God. His heart was open to the faintest cry for help and salvation. The power of His meekness was that any and everyone who would sincerely seek Him, could find Him. He was the servant of all, not because He was just good, but because as God in the flesh, He came to reveal Himself to all men, regardless of their color, race, physical appearance or need. Why? True meekness is associated with the love, mercy, and saving strength of God. Christ came to minister unto mankind, that mankind would turn to Him, receive His mercy and grace, and be saved.
How does one know this meekness? It is found in only one place, in Christ. It is given by the Holy Spirit, and maintained by Him. He gives this blessed attitude and disposition, being ever accompanied by the strength and power of God, to the one who truly seeks Him for it. God is faithful.
Dear Father, Grant us Thy meekness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.