Out of the Picture

Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

A Story to Start

A pastor once shared about being in a Christian-owned restaurant with his family. As they sat down, he noticed a woman going from table to table. Eventually, she came over and told them how she had spent the past week visiting shut-ins and what a blessing it had been to her.

The pastor affirmed her, but she quickly added, “The blessing you get from visiting people like that is in not telling it.” He paused and asked, “But you’re telling me, aren’t you?” She hesitated. “Well, yes—but you’re the only one I’ve told.”

The irony is obvious. She couldn’t resist sharing the story for a bit of recognition. And if we’re honest, we’ve all been there. Like her, we want others to know when we’ve done something good.

But Jesus’ words push us in another direction: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

What Is Meekness?

In our culture, meekness is often misunderstood. To many, it sounds like weakness—timidity, passivity, or being a pushover. But biblically, meekness is something far richer.

The Greek word praeis describes gentleness, humility, and strength under control. It’s not the absence of strength—it’s the restraint of it. Meekness is having the right or power to act, but choosing instead to yield for the benefit of others.

It is the opposite of arrogance, pride, and defensiveness. It looks like patience, humility, teachability, and grace.

R. T. Kendall said it this way:

“True meekness means that something extraordinary has taken place. It is the crown jewel of Christian virtues. Sadly, most of us never get there—because we abort the process by complaining, becoming bitter, or seeking credit for ourselves.”

In other words, meekness is not natural. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in a surrendered heart.

Why Meekness Matters

Our society rewards self-promotion. Elections are won by boasting of accomplishments and tearing down opponents. Careers are advanced by networking and self-advertising. Social media thrives on highlighting the best parts of our lives for others to see.

But Jesus flips it all upside down. In His kingdom, the meek are blessed. They may not seek the spotlight now, but they will “inherit the earth.” God Himself will honor them.

Psalm 37 helps us see what this looks like in practice. The meek are those who:

Trust in the Lord – They believe God will act for them and vindicate them.
Commit their way to Him – They “roll” their burdens, decisions, and future onto Him.
Wait quietly before God – They resist the urge to force results and instead rest in His timing.
Refrain from anger – They refuse to be consumed by resentment, even when wronged.

Meekness doesn’t mean ignoring injustice. It means refusing to fight with the world’s weapons, choosing instead to trust God’s justice and God’s timing.

Examples of Meekness in Scripture

Moses – Numbers 12 calls Moses “more meek than anyone else on earth.” When Miriam and Aaron criticized him, Moses said nothing. He let God defend him. Later, when God offered to wipe out Israel and start over with Moses, Moses interceded for the very people who grumbled against him. That’s meekness.

Abraham – When conflict broke out between his herdsmen and Lot’s, Abraham gave Lot first choice of land, even though he had the right to choose (Genesis 13:8–9). And when Lot later got into trouble, Abraham still rescued him.

David – When Shimei cursed and threw stones at David during his exile (2 Samuel 16), David refused to retaliate. He trusted that God could turn the curses into blessing.

Jesus – The ultimate picture of meekness. Isaiah 53 describes Him: “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.” Though He had all authority, He laid it down, absorbing insults and suffering in silence for our salvation.

Meekness in Our Daily Lives

What might meekness look like for us?

Choosing forgiveness when we could hold a grudge.
Serving without needing recognition.
Apologizing first, even when we feel justified.
Letting God defend our reputation instead of retaliating.
Refusing to let bitterness shape our hearts.

Eric Murdock summarizes it well: meek people have self-control, are humble and teachable, are bold when needed, quick to forgive, willing to say “I’m sorry,” confident in Christ, ready to serve, and walk in the Spirit.

Meekness means taking yourself “out of the picture.” It means not making life about proving yourself, defending yourself, or lifting yourself up. Instead, it is entrusting all of that to God.

One pastor once told me, “I’ve lived long enough to see people who opposed me eventually come back years later to apologize—or continue in bitterness until their lives collapsed. In both cases, I’ve learned to keep my eyes on Jesus.”

That is what meekness does: it fixes our eyes on Christ. We don’t need to fight for our own name, because we belong to His.

Reflection

Meekness is hard. It goes against our instincts. But it is the way of Jesus, and He promises blessing to those who walk in it.

Reflection Question:

Where are you being tempted to defend yourself, boast about your achievements, or cling to offense? How might God be inviting you to step out of the picture and trust Him to vindicate you instead?