I was watching a commentary on the sport of football, and as the video showed 350-pound professional football players crashing into each other, the deep, rich voice of the broadcaster said, “The meek shall not inherit this turf.”
We often associate meekness with shyness, social discomfort, fearful behavior, timidity, and weakness. But I doubt that Jesus was lauding such characteristics when He said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
Perhaps meekness for Jesus was a conscious decision to never resort to violence to get your own way, but to constantly and consciously practice kindness, long-suffering, and patience with people. By this definition, meekness is not weakness, but an inner strength of character that enables the meek to live by conviction rather than manipulation or violence.
Mohandas Gandhi was a meek man who always advocated nonviolence. This pre-eminent leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India employed nonviolent civil disobedience as a technique of protest and personal lifestyle.
Instead of using bullets to overcome the oppressors, he bravely placed flowers in the gun barrels of those threatening him. He and his followers peacefully refused to cooperate with oppression. Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Meekness is not weakness.
Meekness can utilize great resolve, assertiveness, and power. It is a rejection of worldly methods of achieving a result.
Another example of meekness is Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a leader of the Civil Rights movement. Many of his peers such as Malcolm X advocated obtaining civil rights even if it meant resorting to violence, terror, and force.
The Rev. King, however, knew that those who are meek shall inherit the earth, not the vicious. He preached nonviolent protest coupled with love and understanding. The protests of those who advocated violence produced resistance, defensiveness, and hatred on the part of whites. Dr. King’s methods also produced negative backlash, but people saw the rightness of his cause and eventually the conscience of the nation was pricked. His assassination turned the tide of public opinion, and the cause of civil rights won the day.
Now, most of our cities and a multitude of smaller ones have a street named in honor and memory of Dr. King. These streets remind us not only of the man, but also of what he stood for and how he achieved his goals.
Meekness often involves choosing to not live by one’s own wants and desires, but by seeking of the will of God above your own. It is choosing to live God’s way instead of by the ways of the flesh. It means being ready to sacrifice to fulfil God's will and achieve your goals. It is a willingness to be vulnerable instead of fighting or fleeing to protect oneself. It is an unwillingness to go along to get along in order to live in harmony with others. It uses negotiation and compassion in relationships to solve conflicts rather than to bully, coerce, or control.
The people of this world are often about the business of getting what they want, even if it means walking on the personhood of others and violating their rights, but the meek learn to respect the value of those around them. People who practice meekness learn to live in peace, and people respect and admire them. Because of their ability to work with people in productive ways, the meek often enjoy harmonious, productive relationships.
When they find favor with those around them, they advance in their occupations, achieve their goals, and grow in wealth and influence. Success follows them and crowns them with glory.
Blessed are the meek, for they do inherit all the best that this world and the next have to offer.
Dr. Dan Darby is a retired United Methodist pastor.
