“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Christ Jesus’ familiar words were spoken centuries ago. Why pay attention to them now?
Today we sometimes think of being meek as weakness, as being submissive and easily imposed upon. Yet meekness is a powerful spiritual quality which Christ Jesus expressed throughout his earthly mission. Mary Baker Eddy refers to Jesus as being “as meek as he was mighty” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 597). Jesus himself said, “Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29, New Living Translation). The greatest man who ever lived was also the gentlest and meekest.
What exactly is meekness? Modern meanings don’t always convey the full sense of the word. Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines the word meek this way: “Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries” (American Dictionary of the English Language). Clearly, qualities of meekness are qualities of Christliness.
