When we hear the word meek, or meekness, we might think it means the same as weakness. We might picture a guy in our workplace who never stands up for himself, or a nervous student who blushes whenever a teacher calls on her. We might think that being meek means acting like a doormat around others. And who wants to be like that?
Meekness, however, is actually about making the choice to put someone ahead of yourself. A friend of mine describes meekness as restrained strength, laying down your rights, your authority, or your power for the sake of another.
Jesus calls us to be meek as he is meek. Jesus is one with the Father, and yet he left heaven and became a helpless baby. Jesus subjected himself to teething and puberty, hunger and thirst, bickering disciples and uncomfortable beds. When Jesus was arrested, he could have poured out his wrath and destroyed the entire Roman Empire if he wanted to. But instead he chose to accept the taunting and beating, the excruciating pain of hanging on a cross, and death. Jesus displayed meekness so that you and I could be free from our sin, so that we could be made right with God.
As disciples, we are now called to go and live like Jesus. He calls us to die to ourselves and to carry our own cross. He calls us to lay down our power and privilege as we point others to Christ and his kingdom.
Lord Jesus, help me to follow the example of meekness you set for us. May others see you at work and know the way to eternal life. Amen.
About the author — A.J. Gretz
Anthony Joseph (A.J.) Gretz is a pastor in Grandville, Michigan. He has also served churches in Ohio and in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He and his wife, Anna, have three children.
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