The BeatitudesSýnishorn

An Earthly Heritage

Written By: Lisa Supp

“For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”—Romans 4:13 (NKJV)

Our beloved Savior is known by many names. His majesty unmatched, His attributes unchallenged. Yet, Jesus provides one unique auto-biographical statement, and it presents itself in Matthew 11:29 (KJV): “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.”

For some, the word “meek” inspires thoughts of timidity or shyness. But biblical meekness goes deeper. And, oh, what treasure and strength lies within! Theologian and writer W. E. Vine says that meekness “is what allows us to wait on the Lord and accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.” Meekness isn’t interpreted as weakness, but rather demonstrating a willingness to submit to the will of God.

When Jesus declared, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5 KJV), He was working from the previous two Beatitudes. The moment we come to a place of brokenness before God, spiritually impoverished and mourning our fallen condition, meekness is produced. It then leads into the next Beatitude, where we hunger and thirst for righteousness. It is the awareness of our utter depravity that leads to an inheritance in Christ.

Today’s verse abolishes the idea of attaining an inheritance through the law (i.e. what we do or don’t do). Rather, Paul cleverly points out that Abraham received an inheritance through his faith in the coming Savior. Not through the law (because Abraham lived before the law).

Paul celebrates our inheritance in faith through Jesus Christ, not adherence to rules carved in stone. Brokenness at the feet of the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, invites every unchallenged attribute of Him into our being. Andrew Murray explains it this way: “When [Jesus] enters and takes possession of heart and life, He brings His meekness with Him.” Against such, there is no law (Galatians 5:23).

How can we nurture that meekness? We “walk worthy . . . with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1–2 KJV). We let our works be done in the meekness of wisdom (James 3:13). We restore a fallen brother or sister with a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). We have the mind of Christ, and like Jesus, we defer to the Father (Philippians 2:5–6).

The meekness of Christ is our strength; truly, a priceless inheritance.

DIG: Read Psalm 37 to discover more about inheritance, righteousness, meekness, and surrendering to God.

DISCOVER: Where do you see the ideas in Psalm 37 presented in the New Testament?

DISPLAY: Spend some time alone with the Lord celebrating what Jesus has brought into your heart.