“The meek shall inherit the earth.” This fact from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount is often ignored — typically by bullies and despots. Its most unfortunate that people don’t realize just how important this statement is.
Before we get into it, if you have never read the Sermon on the Mount, please make sure you do — it is one of the most vitally important Bible sermons to know and cherish.
So lately, we hear a lot about people claiming that some of us are being too “sensitive” and too “nurturing.” Some say…and we all know who those people are, that being tough and having a cold heart is best. They view compassion as weakness. They say that kindness is over-rated and that generosity is for suckers. Are they correct?
Without hesitation, the answer is an absolute no, they are not correct and Christians in particular should know this.
So, back to the meek who will inherit the earth. Who and what are the meek? Simply put, the Sermon on the Mount tells us that gentle, humble, kind and compassionate people who have full faith in God, will ultimately receive blessings — they will in truth, receive God’s kingdom on Earth. We are further taught that forceful actions, domination and coercion will get someone the complete opposite. The Sermon also teaches us that the divine promise means that being kind and gentle is not weakness, but is actually great strength.
What does inherit the earth mean? Many believe that it means that the meek will live on a new “reborn” earth and will be present before Jesus. It also means that the meek will have spiritual strength in this life and will find peace and happiness, whereas others may not — those that are aggressive, cruel and greedy for example, have embraced the physical world and aren’t connected to the spiritual, even if they claim to be so.
In essence, the promise is that those who are “meek,” will enjoy God’s grace and reward. However, those who live and act cruelly or coldly most likely will not, so choose wisely.
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you… be kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.” – Luke 6:27-35
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
“Jesus describes Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart,” inviting weary people to find rest in Him, showing kindness isn’t harsh.” – Matthew 11:28-30
