Thank you for the question on the Beatitude, “According to Matthews 5:5, how can the meek inherit the earth?” (NIV).
The text says this: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Here are some thoughts for one’s consideration on how the meek inherit the earth:
A. Jesus gives the description of a person who will enter and enjoy the Kingdom of God.
Meekness can be defined as gentleness, being mild. It is closely related to humbleness. It is a person who recognizes who s/he truly is and accepts one’s weaknesses or strengths.
The contrast or opposite of meekness is arrogance or egotistical. That person boasts about his/her status and accomplishments in life. He sees himself or herself as better than others. He brags about his righteousness acts that will earn him the entrance into the Kingdom of God. It’s like the Pharisees who prays and thanks God that he is not like that sinner and enumerates his good deeds before God.
Luke 18 gives insight to the humble or meek person in contrast to the self-righteous and arrogant man. “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (NIV).
The meek person does not assert his rights for he recognizes that he is not perfect or sinless. He has no “right” to enter the Kingdom of God. Although he can or might assert his “good” deeds in this life, he understands that they are like filthy rags before God. They are good in comparison to others, but never good enough before God.
Thus, the meek person does not rely on his own goodness to enter the Kingdom of God. The meek person knows that he is a sinner and needs God’s grace. He humbles himself before God in asking for forgiveness of his sins and to make him a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
SUMMARY: The meek seeks the forgiveness of God and doesn’t rely on his righteousness to enter the Kingdom of God.
-Kingston