In the Meekness of Wisdom?

Some 2000 years ago, Jesus of Nazareth said some shockingly counter-culture things, that will still wreck us, in a profoundly wonderful way, if we are willing to let them take root in our hearts. Not the least among these are the “Blessed are the…” statements from Matthew 5:3-12 that we call the Beatitudes. In these surprising statements, Jesus set forth the values of the kingdom of God as diametrically opposed to the values of the world. I often delineate them as kingdom (of heaven/God) values vs. empire (worldly pride) values.

This post deals with just one of those statements, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matt. 5:5)

 Photo by Leio McLaren on Unsplash

The meek were those people who were oppressed and yet looked forward in the certainty of hope for the vindication that God would bring about. Their trust was in God and not in their own efforts. There is wisdom in that approach. Yet as we try to lead and serve missionally, does meekness play a significant role in who we are, how we do ministry, and how we interact with the culture around us? I am sad to say that meekness is not something that shows up on the checklist for a pastoral search committee. Our culture has conditioned us to look for “catalytic leaders” instead. Is it any wonder that we often end up with an Eliab or Aminadab that looks good on the outside and appears able to get things done, instead of a David who has a heart after God?

Meekness, as an attribute, has always been scorned by the rich and the powerful and perhaps more surprisingly by many social-justice advocates as well. The conventional wisdom is that we must fight for everything because we all deserve better. We are encouraged to boldly stand up for our rights and the rights of others as we see them. In the process, we tend to self-sanctify our causes de jour. 

In his classic book, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, Kenneth E. Bailey made a particularly insightful observation while discussing the narrative of the man who wanted Jesus to decide an inheritance case between himself and his brother (Luke 12:13).

The person who fights for a just cause usually thinks that he or she is thereby a just person. Everything such a person does in fighting for that cause usually becomes right in her or his own eyes. Woe to those who fall under the sway of this kind of self-created justice. This parable presents a new perspective on the cry for justice. In the story before us, the petitioner has already decided what justice requires and wants the visiting rabbi to enforce the petitioner's view. How will Jesus respond? [italics mine][1]

Photo by Warren Wong 

on Unsplash

Once we think that our just cause has made us a just person it is too easy to justify any action or attitude used to advance our cause. Have we, like them man speaking to Jesus, “already decided what justice requires” and determined to demand our fair share, or are we teachable to the leading of Christ through the Spirit? We should be cautioned by the example of Jesus, who, deeply concerned for the deliverance of the downtrodden and oppressed as stated in his announcement in the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4:16-21), never stoops to such ends-justify-the-means behavior. He was intentional in preparing his disciples to resist the impulse to defend their own cause.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:10-12)

And just a bit further on,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (Matt. 5:38-40)

The Apostle Paul later wrote to the church in Rome (Romans 12:14-21), expanding on Proverbs 25:21-22, with a hard-hitting nine-point list. See if you don’t agree!

• Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
• Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 
• Live in harmony with one another. 
• Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. 
• Never be wise in your own sight.
• Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
• If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
• Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
• Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Bullets mine)

Paul also confronted the Corinthian church’s temptation to think themselves wise and strong with his apostolic example,

To the present hour

             we hunger and thirst,

             we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and

             we labor, working with our own hands. 

                           When reviled, we bless; 

                            when persecuted, we endure; 

                            when slandered, we entreat. 

We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, 

                                                         the refuse of all things. (1 Corinthians 4:11-13)

Why do so many Christians on social media platforms write combatively rather than engagingly, responding defensively rather than graciously towards any that do not believe or behave exactly as they do? Why are we not more like Paul who was willing to be treated like dumpster dregs for the cause of the gospel?

Jesus’ non-resistance and commitment to love and forgive his accusers through his Passion week, up to his death, was a powerful witness to his followers and to his oppressors alike (Matt. 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47; John 18:33-38; Acts 8:32-35). Jesus’ power was under the control of the loving plan of the Father and he has given us an example to follow.

But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:20-23)

Photo by Elijah O'Donnell on Unsplash

Why is it that we often don’t have the same effect on those who observe our lives through curated windows of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.? Biblical meekness was, and is, not weakness, and we have probably heard that instead, it is “power under control.” Certainly, we have power and authority, bestowed by Christ’s commission and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:18; Acts 1:8) yet we do well to remember that our “battle” is not with other people (Eph. 6:12). But for the Christian, what is the control to which we submit? Is it the law of legalistic requirements? Is it the law of what people think about us? Or is it the law of liberty?

It is human nature to defend oneself when oppressed and even more when falsely accused. Yet, mature followers of Jesus learn that it is better to trust Jesus to be our defender. He will set things right, though perhaps not according to our timetable.

If the kindness of God leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4) and we have benefited from that kindness and mercy, then we should extend it to others! (James 2:13)

As I was journaling through the book of James, I was struck with a phrase in chapter three, “the meekness of wisdom” (3:13). I think that we can learn more about meekness when we see with what it is contrasted.

Who is wise and understanding among you? 

By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18 emphasis mine)

In this passage commentators and preachers often focus on “wisdom from above” and skip over the initial descriptor of that wisdom— “meekness.” It is not a stretch to say that true wisdom is meek. It is neither tainted by “bitter jealousy” nor by “selfish ambition”. In fact, the nine descriptions of heavenly wisdom help us to see meekness more fully. I don’t think that it is a leap to say that meekness is…

• pure,
• peaceable,
• gentle,
• open to reason, 
• full of mercy
• full of good fruits,
• impartial 
• sincere.
• Its righteousness is sown in peace

Also, as we read this list, it sounds a lot like the whole list of the beatitudes, and the values of the kingdom of heaven. No surprise…they come from the same place. You can tell by the accent. When people read our posts, tweets, and comments what does our “accent” reveal about us and the source of our message?

Can we move into such meekness that on one side is desperate asking for and obeying God's guidance and direction—contentedly accepting justice at his hands—while intentionally seeking to relate to others gently, doing no further harm, as we work for the wholeness of justice both within and without? I hope so.

[Here are some other “meek” verses not already addressed in this article: Isaiah 29:17-21; Psalm 37:10-11; 45:4; Numbers 12:2-4; James 1:21; 2 Cor. 10:1]

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[1] Kenneth E. Bailey. Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (p. 301).