Is Meekness Weakness ?

During my quiet time this morning with the Lord, as I prayed for guidance when reading/studying His Word, four simple (yet profound) words where whispered by the Spirit  “… and learn of me…”.  When I opened the Bible to Matthew chapter 11 and began reading the  beautiful words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ to the multitudes, I saw those four words.  I remember doing a study on meekness several years ago, so I searched for and found all my notes.  I would like to share something wonderful about meekness.

Matthew 11:28-30 ” Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden , and I will give you rest . Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

In today’s culture, meekness, rather than being seen as a virtue, is usually equated with weakness.  This was not so in the Near East and Greco-Roman world where a high premium was placed on meekness.  In the Old Testament we see the virtue of meekness exemplified in the person of Moses.  Numbers 12 :3  ” (Now the man Moses was very meek , above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”   Moses, as we know from his role is bring the children of Israel out of captivity was NOT a weak man, but he was in complete submission to the LORD God.  However, most modern versions/translations of the Bible use the words gentleness or humility in place of the word meekness because of the negative connotations related to it in today’s culture.   What was once a virtue is now considered a defect in our society.  Webster’s Dictionary states meek is obsolete in today’s vernacular, and actually uses “being a wimp” as a current definition.

Jesus Christ, as the incarnate God, submitted Himself completely to suffering and the will of the Father.  Meekness does not identify the weak, but exactly the opposite!  The word meek describes someone who is directed by the Holy Spirit, accepts that God is sovereign and in control of all events and perseveres without giving up.   Meekness is being submissive, soft, yielding, gentle, peaceful, modest, mild, patient, humble, timid, long-suffering, and forbearing.   All of these qualities are the fruit of the Spirit.

It is impossible to be meek without being “yoked with Christ”, which in turn makes us want to “learn of Him” and in that our souls are able to find rest.  Just as two oxen yoked side-by-side work together for a common purpose, so is our relationship with our Savior. 

Galatians 5:22-25 ” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.“

Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

1 Peter 2:21 “For even hereunto were ye called : because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:“

1 John 2:6 “He that saith he abides in him ought himself also so to walk , even as he walked.”

In the days we live in, I pray that we the Body of Christ, the true Church, begin to earnestly desire to “learn of Him” as the Word teaches and not as the world speaks.  Our Savior is returning… and when He does I pray He finds us awake, alert and awaiting His return.  Go forth, share the truth of the Gospel, for many there are that need Him.  © streim