Matthew 5: Blessed are the meek

Captain Daniel Holland seeks what it means to be meek.

Key texts

• Matthew 5:5

The Beatitudes are a series of blessings that Jesus proclaimed at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. These statements challenge worldly assumptions about success, power and happiness, presenting instead a vision of life in God’s Kingdom that can speak to us individually as Christians and corporately as The Salvation Army.

‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth’ (Matthew 5:5) may seem illogical. The world – and indeed the Church – often rewards those who are dominant, aggressive and powerful. Yet, Jesus declares that the meek are those who will receive the Earth as their inheritance. This verse invites us to reconsider our understanding of strength, humility and God’s promises.

Let us reflect on what it means to be meek, why meekness is a mark of a Holy Spirit-filled life and how this promise of inheritance aligns with God’s Kingdom.

Pause and reflect

• Think about a time when you were in a situation where gentleness or humility seemed like weakness.
• How did that experience shape your understanding of strength?

The word ‘blessed’ – translated from the Greek makarios – conveys more than just happiness. It refers to a deep, spiritual joy that comes from God’s favour. This joy is based not on personal circumstances but on living in orientation with God’s purposes. Jesus is not simply saying that meek people will feel good; he is declaring that they’re already in a position of divine blessing.

Pause and reflect

• How does viewing ‘blessing’ as a state of being, rather than as a reward, change your understanding of what it means to be blessed?

In general usage, ‘meekness’ is often misunderstood as weakness, passivity or lack of confidence. The biblical understanding of meekness, however, is very different. The Greek word for ‘meek’ – praus – describes strength under control, like a tamed wild animal. Meekness is not about being powerless but about choosing to submit one’s power to God.

In Numbers 12:3, Moses is described as a ‘very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the Earth’. Yet Moses was not weak. Overcoming initial reluctance, he confronted the powerful Pharaoh, pleading for the release of his captive compatriots. He then led Israel out of Egypt, confronted criticism of his leadership from fellow Israelites and interceded for his people. Moses’ strength came from his reliance on God rather than his own abilities.

Similarly, Jesus describes himself as ‘gentle and humble in heart’ (Matthew 11:29), yet he’s regarded as one of the most powerful figures in history. Paul sees Jesus’ meekness in his willingness to submit to God’s will and his being ‘obedient to death – even death on a cross’ (Philippians 2:8).

Pause and reflect

• How does Jesus’ example of meekness challenge your cultural ideas about strength and success?

The phrase ‘inherit the Earth’ echoes Psalm 37:11: ‘But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.’ In the Old Testament, inheritance was deeply connected to the divine provision of Israel as the Promised Land. The land itself was regarded as a tangible sign of God’s blessing and faithfulness. However, in this Beatitude, Jesus expands this promise beyond physical land to include the fullness of God’s Kingdom.

Meekness prepares us to receive God’s inheritance because it acknowledges that all we have comes from God. Proud people fight for control. Meek people trust that God’s provision is enough. Revelation 21:1 speaks of ‘a new Heaven and a new Earth’, where God will dwell with his people. Those who embrace the way of Jesus will ultimately receive this renewed creation as their inheritance.

Pause and reflect

• How does trusting in God’s provision free you from the need to fight for power or control?

The Holy Spirit regenerates and empowers us to live as God intends. Meekness is not something we develop on our own – it’s part of the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22 and 23). The Holy Spirit can transform our hearts, enabling us to respond with grace in situations where we might otherwise react in anger or defensiveness.

Meekness allows us to stand firm in faith while responding to others with gentleness and love (see 1 Peter 3:15).

In Acts 4:13, Peter and John boldly witness to the resurrected Jesus. Yet, while doing so, they remain humble. Their confidence is not in their own strength but in the power of the Spirit working through them.

Pause and reflect

• Where in your life do you need the Holy Spirit’s help to respond with meekness instead of defensiveness?

Being meek is challenging. It means choosing to listen rather than insisting on being heard. It means responding with love even when treated unfairly. It means trusting God’s justice instead of seeking revenge.

Meekness is particularly powerful in leadership and relationships. A meek leader does not dominate but serves (see Mark 10:42–45). A meek friend does not demand their way but values others (see Philippians 2:3 and 4). A meek follower of Jesus does not force their faith on others but witnesses with grace (see Colossians 4:6).

Pause and reflect

• Think of a practical way you can practise meekness in your interactions this week.

Jesus’ words challenge us to embrace a different way of living. The meek are not overlooked or forgotten in God’s Kingdom – they are blessed, and their inheritance is secure. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live with the quiet strength that comes from trusting in God’s promises.

Let us seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that our lives reflect the meekness of Jesus. By doing so, we will find that we will lack nothing because we already belong to the creator, preserver and governor of all things.