Picture this…
Jesus
Climbing up a mountain
With 12 disciples following behind him
They sit down (on top of a mountain, remember)
And talk
I know what you’re thinking, “I wonder how they climbed up a mountain in sandals?” Or if you’re me, you’re wondering, “Why on top of a mountain?”
And for right now, we’re just going to keep wondering these things, because there is an even greater purpose to their climb.
This mountain was the place where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. During his sermon, Jesus told his disciples about different traits of people... people who are humble, those who mourn, the meek, the just, the good, the merciful, the peacemakers and the persecuted. And over and over again, he reminded them that these people are fortunate. Yes, fortunate. And to those who were fortunate, He promised the Heavenly Kingdom.
But as I was reading the beatitudes the other day… one word… that typically just rolls off my tongue when I think of the beatitudes… seemed to have gotten stuck.
The word is MEEK.
Jesus
Climbing up a mountain
With 12 disciples following behind him
They sit down (on top of a mountain, remember)
And talk
I know what you’re thinking, “I wonder how they climbed up a mountain in sandals?” Or if you’re me, you’re wondering, “Why on top of a mountain?”
And for right now, we’re just going to keep wondering these things, because there is an even greater purpose to their climb.
This mountain was the place where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. During his sermon, Jesus told his disciples about different traits of people... people who are humble, those who mourn, the meek, the just, the good, the merciful, the peacemakers and the persecuted. And over and over again, he reminded them that these people are fortunate. Yes, fortunate. And to those who were fortunate, He promised the Heavenly Kingdom.
But as I was reading the beatitudes the other day… one word… that typically just rolls off my tongue when I think of the beatitudes… seemed to have gotten stuck.
The word is MEEK.
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
So if you were to look up the definition of meek – it would tell you that such people are quiet, gentle, easily imposed and submissive.
But what God sees is GENTLE! God wants us to be gentle.
That doesn’t mean we roll over and play dead; it doesn’t mean we are passive; and it doesn’t mean we are weak. It simply means we are called to be gentle in every way…word, thought or deed.
In Psalms 37:8 King David highlights the importance of being gentle… "Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Do not fret and worry – it only leads to harm. For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing."
The importance is that anger, wrath, and worry only lead to harm and if we simply trust, God will bless us!
In today’s world, we are taught that exerting power will create solutions. Yup! If you exert enough power, things might shake and other things might move… and eventually power will create change. BUT, consider the harm. Is your exertion of power… your rant, your hurtful words, your judgement, your sneaky ways, your cutting corners… worth the harm?
Let me remind you, Jesus tells us in Matthew 17:20 – “For if you had faith even as small as a tiny mustard seed you could say to this mountain, ‘Move!’ And it would go far away.”
(Now how is that for change!)
TRUTH: We don’t need power to move the ominous mountains in our lives.
We simply need faith.
So not only do we need to be meek.
Its God we need to seek.
(see what I did there with the rhyme.)
Whether God is calling you to climb a mountain with him or move the one that’s staring you in the face, remember to seek God with a gentle heart!