The White Flag of Surrender

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” 
Matthew 5:5 (NIV)

Do you know who Jesus seeks to bless?

Today’s verse teaches us something that confuses the world. Jesus says He is not interested in your money or your might, He wants to bless your meekness. But what does it mean to be “meek”? 

First of all, let’s clarify what it does not mean. Meekness is not weakness. It is not being a doormat, or allowing people to walk all over you. 

Look at the way Jesus describes himself in Matthew 11:29, “...for I am gentle and humble in heart.” The Greek word used in Matthew 11:29 to describe “gentle” is the same Greek word that Jesus uses in today’s verse, Matthew 5:5, for the word “meek”. It is not weakness, but rather refers to exercising God’s strength under His control. It is a blend of strength and gentleness. 

When a trainer wants to tame a wild horse, that process is called “breaking”. For a horse to understand directions, the will of the horse must be brought under control. Something similar happens to the meek heart: you learn to surrender your will to God's will for you. And, spoiler alert: God’s will for you is always good.

Sometimes you might resist the call to surrender because you want to do things your own way, holding on to positions or possessions. But Jesus said, “You are not blessed by what you have or what you do; you are blessed by what you are.”

You can trust Jesus completely, for He is gentle, and humble in heart. The way to be in control is to be surrendered to God’s control. Jesus is looking not for what you can do for Him, but for all that you are before Him. 

You are meek when you have finally waved the white flag, surrendering all you are to all that God is. That is when you are blessed, and you inherit everything that God has for you, both in this life and the life to come. 

Prayer: Father, I surrender all I am to You. Thank You for showing me what it means to be meek. Help me pursue Your will above my own, and live each day with a blend of strength and gentleness. In Jesus’ name, amen.