RESPONDING TO PEOPLE

Editor’s Note: This past Sunday our Pastor, in his sermon series on the Beattitudes, focused on Matthew 5:5. “Blessed are the meek/gentle/humble, for they will inherit the earth.” In his sermon he put up on the screen the following message from Paul:

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.”

-- Paul, in his letter to Titus (3:1-11 NIV)

#5912

THE PROCESSION BEGINS

“Go into the village opposite you, where as you enter you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Loose it and bring it here.”  (Luke 19:30 NKJV)

It is indeed the lowliest of all memorable processions which Jesus plans, and yet, in its very humility, it appeals to ancient prophecy, and says to Zion that her King is coming to her. The monarchs of the East and the captains of the West might ride upon horses as for war, but the King of Zion would come to her meek, and sitting upon an ass, upon a colt, the foal of an ass. Yet there is fitness and dignity in the use of “a colt on which no one has ever sat,” and it reminds us of other facts, such as that He was the firstborn of a virgin mother, and rested in a tomb which corruption had never soiled.

Thus He comes forth, the gentlest of the mighty, with no swords gleaming around to guard Him, or to smite the foreigner who tramples Israel, or the worse foes of her own household. Men who will follow such a King must lay aside their vain and earthly ambitions, and awake to the truth that spiritual powers are grander than any which violence ever grasped. 

-- Adapted from Chadwick, as quoted in “His Passion: Christ’s Journey to the Resurrection” 

#5570

MEEKNESS ISN’T WEAKNESS

“Jesus made a whip from ropes and chased them all out of the temple. He drove out the sheep and oxen, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables.”  (John 2:15 NLT)

Whenever you and I hear the word meek, our minds tend to think WEAK. But meek is not weak. Not even close….

Strength under control. Power under discipline.

Jesus is a prime example of a meek person. Was Jesus weak? Well, go back and watch Him as He cleans out the temple. With a whip made out of cords, He drove everyone out of the temple courtyard in extremely short order. No one struggled with Him. No one challenged Him. I find it hard to believe some wimp could have accomplish this. No one wanted to mess with the man from Nazareth. He was very strong and had great authority.… But He also characterized Himself as a meek person.…

Jesus was meek. He had the greatest possible strength under the greatest possible control. While He was on the cross, He could have called ten legions of angels to come to His aid. But He stayed on that cross and held His vast power in check… out of love for you and me.  

-- David Jeremiah

#5553