Jesus’ teaching was and always has been completely contrary to the world’s thoughts, and even contrary to many religious people’s thinking. During His time on this earth, the Pharisees and other “religious” leaders were all about “Look at me! I am SO perfect in my religious activities and my standing with God.”, yet the true Christian life isn’t about “ME”, it’s about Jesus!
He began His sermon with “Blessed are the poor in spirit…” Not blessed are those who think they’re just fine or even not so bad – but those who KNOW they are sinners and have nothing on which to stand. “Blessed are those who mourn…”, not those who are happy with themselves and see no problem with their life – but those who realize the wickedness of their sin. And now – He continues “Blessed are the Meek…” (Matthew 5:5) Not the proud, not the self-righteous – but the humble.
So, what’s the difference between the “poor in spirit” and the “meek”? Well, “Poor in spirit” refers to our own situation, our sinfulness and lack of anything good. “Meekness” on the other hand, refers to our realization that while we are NOTHING – Jesus is EVERYTHING, and we humble ourselves before Him.
It’s a process. First we see our helplessness, Second, we realize and sorrow over our sin, then we look to Jesus and find He alone is ALL we need, and we bow before Him – seeking HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS and hungering after HIS HOLINESS in our lives. John MacArthur puts it this way, “‘Happiness,’ Jesus says, ‘Happiness, blessedness. Oh, that’s for people like this, people who are – realistic about their sin, who are repentant about their sin, who are responsive to God.’ And the unblessed and the unhappy and those shut out of the kingdom are the arrogant, self-sufficient, self-righteous, unrepentant, stiff-necked, proud people.”
Isaiah 29:19 tells us, “The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.” Psalm 25:9 says, “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” Meek doesn’t mean that we go around feeling weak and pitiful all the time saying “Whoa is me…I am nothing” – rather it means that we realize the Christian life is ALL about Jesus Christ – HE is EVERYTHING, and to truly come to know Him, we rely on HIM ALONE. Meekness is a result of self-emptying, dying to self, trusting in God and delighting in HIM. Meekness says, “In myself, nothing is possible. But in God, everything is possible.” And the result is we inherit the earth – as a Christian, we find ALL we need in Jesus Christ.