“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.
Several years ago I felt the healing power of meekness in a difficult situation. I was a long-term substitute teacher for a third-grade class. Every morning I greeted the students at the door of the classroom. One little boy (I will call him Jake) was almost always late for school. Many days he didn’t come at all. Jake’s mother usually brought him, but she never smiled and didn’t seem to trust others.
Because Jake often missed important lessons, I needed to go over this subject matter with him individually and administer required tests. With 25 other students in the classroom, though, it was hard to find extra time. So one afternoon when the students were to be taken out of the classroom for learning in the school garden, I decided to keep Jake in to make up an important test.
When Jake came to school the next day, his mother came with him and angrily accused me of deliberately depriving him of a fun activity with his classmates. Though I was surprised by her accusations, I saw the sadness in her eyes and felt compassion for her. I thought, “Here is an opportunity to express God’s love!” I didn’t argue or try to defend myself. Even as she berated me, I meekly listened to her.
After she finished speaking, I quietly explained that Jake had needed to take a test he had missed. And I assured her that I would never want to deprive him of having fun with his friends. As I let her know that I cared about Jake and that all the kids liked him, her attitude softened and her anger dissolved. Meekness had changed the entire tone of the interchange from harshness to a wordless sense of kindness and mutual respect. I felt the truth of a biblical proverb, “A gentle response defuses anger” (Proverbs 15:1, Eugene Peterson, The Message), and of Mrs. Eddy’s statement, “Meekness and charity have divine authority” (Science and Health, p. 270).
Not long after this, I was notified that Jake would soon be leaving our school. I planned a little farewell party for him on his final day and was happy to invite his mother. Each student shared a compliment about Jake and wished him well in his new school. Jake sat in the front of the room with a sweet smile on his face. I could see that his mother appreciated our love for her son, and I was deeply grateful that our earlier interchange had brought about this sweet conclusion.
Every day we find ourselves in interactions with others—in our families, our workplaces, our churches, with our friends, neighbors, even total strangers. These daily exchanges are proving grounds where we can practice meekness, gentleness, and love—our true Christianity. Each time we express these Godlike qualities, we are growing in grace. We are blessing and being blessed.
To me, Jesus’ assurance about the meek inheriting the earth—a quotation from Psalms 37:11—means that we will find ourselves having dominion over the material sense of ourselves, which is false, and owning or inheriting the true spiritual sense of ourselves as God’s children. But what if we fail at the first attempt to be meek? Or several attempts? What if we find ourselves still getting angry, using harsh words, or reacting negatively toward someone?
Though some steps might seem insignificant, every victory—even a small one—matters. As we deepen our commitment to practicing meekness, we will naturally become more Christlike. Mrs. Eddy affirms, “Meekness is the armor of a Christian, his shield and his buckler” (Message to The Mother Church for 1902, p. 19). And she encourages us, “Be of good cheer; the warfare with one’s self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment, and the divine Principle worketh with you, —and obedience crowns persistent effort with everlasting victory” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 118).
Meekness is more than an alternative way to think and act. It’s central to Christian healing, and brings its own reward—the beautiful promise, “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (Psalms 37:11).
