The Strong Gentle People (Matt 5:5)

Matthew 5:5 5 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.


Many years ago, I saw a picture that had been taken in Norway of a big broad-shouldered man in his mid-forties holding his newborn child in his hands. The man's body overwhelmed the tiny helpless baby. His hands - like his arms - were muscular and strong - a force to be reckoned with. The man had the power to crush the child with no effort at all and yet, the look in his eyes left no doubt that the child was safer in this man's arms than anywhere else on earth. I don't know who this man was, but I instantly fell in love with him! And this man became the picture in my mind of someone who is meek: powerful, but gentle.

“Meek” is the Greek word "praus." It brings to mind the modern word "prowess" which we often used to describe a lion. It denotes the strength of a lion that has been brought under control. It was used in the first century to describe a wild horse tamed to the bridle. The Norwegian man in the picture - he was no less strong when he held his baby than when he led the teams of big burly firece men on the dangerous oil rigs he managed. His strength was gentle and under control.


On the other hand, one time I listened politely to a mother proudly describe her grown son as meek. But I knew the man. He was weak, not meek. I had watched him cower as his half-crazy wife pushed him around and created havoc in their lives and in the lives of others. He couldn't function if he didn't have a woman in his life telling him what to do. His wife had just taken over where his mother had left off. There is a huge difference between being weak and meek! Her son had no internal strength whatsoever. He was pushed here and there at his wife's whims. He and meek were worlds apart.

Jesus taught that the meek - those whose strength is under control - those with gentle strength will inherit the earth.

Is your strength gentle? Is your power - like the Norwegian man's - tender? Do your arms show muscles while your eyes show love?

The strong gentle people will inherit the earth. Be strong, but gentle.