Jesus Sermon on the Mount Matthew 5:5-6 Lesson 3 Last week we began our study on the beatitudes by examining the statements Jesus made in verses two and three. Christians are to be found living a blessed or happy life. But this involves having the proper attitude about God, myself, and others. At the beginning of His sermon Jesus clarified for His disciples the character, or attitudes, of a Christian. What are these attitudes? Jesus continues to rattle off proclamations but as usual Jesus does not give His listeners the standard answers. As we study this sermon we need to remember the mindset of the listeners to whom Jesus was speaking. This sermon is directed to the disciples who had been influenced by the rabbinical teachings of the day. As we study further it will become more apparent that Jesus had a tough job of correcting these teachings. The Jewish community was divided into many schools of thought on how and why the Messiah would come. They were all incorrect, though, in their thinking and teachings. The Pharisee s were ready for the Messiah to come and overthrow the Roman rule and take full control creating the kingdom age of God right then and there. The Zealots were ready to prepare the way -- always campaigning for the soon deliverance of the Jewish people by the Messiah. Even the Sadducees were ready for the material benefits that a God-ruled kingdom would heap upon them. They may have differed on why their Messiah would come but they all agreed He d come with power, strength and strong authority. They believed justice would finally be served (paid back) to the Romans for the unfair treatments they had endured. They would now be in leadership -- with power to make changes. Much like today, we admire and long for the strong, the mighty one who has the ability to lead, control and subdue others. The third statement in His sermon went right to the heart of this matter. I can see the men scratching their heads wondering, What in the world is Jesus calling them to be like. Meekness would never have crossed their minds as an attitude for a follower of the Messiah. How would this attitude work in overthrowing the Roman rule? This is what Jesus came to introduce to the disciples and to us. These disciples had to be willing to change how they thought (and had been taught) in order to grasp what Jesus was saying. I pray you, too, will be open to and yielding to the Holy Spirit as He teaches you. As we study meekness, some translations use the words humble or afflicted for meek. DAY ONE: 1. Write out verse 5. 2. Without further study, record what you understand this verse to mean? 3. If you were to explain how you, as a Christian, have obtained happiness (blessedness) would you have used meekness as a means to being happy? Why or why not? 1
4. The result of meekness, Jesus told them, would be the inheritance of the earth. Is this how we have been taught to have all we want here on earth? How does this teaching contradict what we are usually told about getting what we want? 5. Using all your resources (dictionaries, Bible commentaries, web sites, etc ), define Meek (ness): What is Meek NOT? From Strong s concordance the word meek is praos, meaning mildness of disposition or gentleness of spirit. John MacArthur concludes that meekness, meaning mild or soft, includes the human attitudes of being gentle in spirit, submissive, quiet, and tenderhearted. The basic underlying attitude of meekness stems from the humility of oneself in comparison to God. The first two attitudes focus on our sinfulness, whereas, meekness comes from our realization of who God is. 6. How does meekness create the proper attitude about myself, and a change of focus from me to God? 7. What is the result of such an attitude change? When I now turn to see God for Who He really is I am not only humbled but my heart has melted away all of me. I am now quietly drawn to God. I now seek God; to know His power, His unchangeableness, His Sovereignty, His faithfulness towards us. To seek God means to put our trust in Him before all else and seek His counsel in all the matters of our hearts. With that trust and faith, alive and real, a submissive attitude is born. When I know God s desires for me I can fully and heartily submit. But this characteristic and attitude are not mustered up by my own strength. No it comes when God through His spirit continues to open my eyes of understanding. This too, just like forgiveness and comforting (verse 3-4), are a work of GOD. 8. It has been said, meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. Romans 8:28 How do you think faith in who God is creates meekness (with the outcome of happiness)? What has God promised us when we meekly seek Him in our times of trouble? Jeremiah 29:11-14a 2 Chronicles 20:3-9 2
DAY TWO Other commentary writers emphasize meekness praus- as power under control. With the example of an animal that has been broken from his wildness to an animal that is now useful and trained -- an animal that is now living as he was designed to live which is under the power and control of his owner -- God. David Guzik says, to be meek shows a willingness to submit and work under the proper authority God designed. Jon Courson describes meek: man, who finds himself meek is no longer strutting, no longer primping, and no more (filled with) vainglory. He s meek -- with strength harnessed for the purposes of the King and for Him alone. 1. How does this definition of meekness get reflected in your day-to-day life? Whose authority are you under in your life? List all. Martin Lloyd-Jones introduced another angle of interpretation for the word meek, which I found rather challenging to swallow. He instructs his readers to examine how one responds when their own sins are pointed out or exposed by others. What is our reaction? It is one thing to be able to admit to God, I am poor in spirit, a sinner, but what happens to my attitude when others agree with me? I must admit this is where my pride comes out. Meekness, though, is best displayed when I am placed in a position to humbly admit and agree with others about my sin. It is no coincidence that the root word of meek means to be brought low. Lloyd- Jones writes, meekness is the humility that gives us the right view of ourselves, when we are totally finished with self, then and only then can we be possessed wholly by Christ. 2. Reflect on this thoughtful question: Would others say I react with meekness when I am confronted with my own sin? If so, Praise the Lord! If not, what adjustments do I need to make? List. 3. How do I respond when God reveals the truth to me about a behavior or attitude that I need to correct. Read James 1:21-22 -- what else exposes our sin and how should we react? Define in a practical way you can do this: 3
4. By studying other references on meekness in the Bible and seeing it in action we can get a better understanding of this attitude. Meekness wasn t completely foreign to this group of listeners. In the OT, the meek are those who relied completely on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. Their Old Testament patriarchs were described as such. Below are listed several men whose life s examples are given both in the OT and NT, select a man and considering the definitions above and what you know about each of these men record how meekness is shown. Abraham: Genesis 13:5-9 and 21:22-34 Moses: Numbers 12:3 David: 1 Samuel 24; 2 Sam 16:5-13 Paul: Acts 26:21-22 Jesus: Philippians 2:5-8; Matthew 11:29; John 4:34; Mark 14:36 DAY THREE 1. It is clear to me that I cannot be meek or humble without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The word gentleness is one of the gifts of the Spirit (Gal 5: 22-23) and gentleness is a synonym for meekness. So, meekness is a gift of the Spirit and requires His enabling for us to demonstrate. What part do the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ play in my being meek? 2. What does it say about the quality of meekness (or humility) in the following verses: James 4:10 1 Peter 5:6-7 3. It is also important to remember that we may seek the gifts of the Spirit. What did Jesus say the Father would give us if we sought it? Luke 11:11-13 4
4. Having meekness in action in our lives touches those around us. Using these NT references further learn how meekness (being humble or afflicted) is demonstrated or taught in these verses! 1 Corinthians 4:21 Galatians 6:1 Ephesians 4:1-3 2 Timothy 2:24-26 Titus 3:1-7 James 3:13 1 Peter 3:3-4 1 Peter 3:15 What have you, specifically, learned that you need to apply to your life? 5. What is the reward for the meek as Jesus listed here in Matthew 5:5? 6. What else did Jesus teach about those who would inherit? Matthew 18:2-6 Who will not inherit the earth? 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 One day Jesus will reclaim this fallen earth and rule with His children. The teaching common to the disciples day held that all Jews would rule in the kingdom. Jesus now turns their tables over by saying the meek would receive the earth. Not the strong and mighty, but the humble man. We now have confidence in this promise of a future where God s righteousness will rule. Pastor Chuck Smith says: A meek person has already inherited the earth because he is a satisfied person. A meek person has learned that happiness doesn t lie in his possessions, but, in a relationship with God. Philippians 4:11-13 5
DAY FOUR 1. Record the fourth beatitude below: Matthew 5:6 2. Note the progression of these attitudes. How do you see this in relationship to the preceding beatitudes? I am so glad Jesus did not leave us with only the first three attitudes. In those I merely found myself empty of Him and full of myself. Now Jesus turns to His listeners who have become eager to receive the instructions for the filling back up of the Spirit. When I am empty of me, and my desires for what this world holds, is gone, then, what I seek is more and more of Jesus. This is the work of His Spirit in my life. 3. What are we to be filled with? Matthew 5:6 Who alone can meet all my need for fullness? 4. How are we to be satisfied? List the ways John said we crave the world. 1John 2:15-17 List some ways we have found ourselves striving for satisfaction? Be honest with yourself. 5. Why did Jesus use the terms hunger and thirst? Explain. 6. It has been said that one s appetites can control your life. What do you hunger for? What are some of your appetites? Emotionally Physically Spiritually How do we go about getting these appetites quenched? 6
7. Read the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). What caused the son to finally return to the Father? Notice: the loving Father allowed his son to seek the world s pleasures to create the need for God in his life. How do you see God working the same way today? 8. Man has always been seeking to be filled. Record what Jeremiah said: Jeremiah 2:11-13 9. Read John 4:4-28 -- How was the woman at the well seeking to be filled apart from God? What was Jesus solution for her (John 4:13-14) What was Jesus talking about, and how do we drink it? DAY FIVE 1. Jesus describes Himself in John 6:35-40 as the. What does this mean? 2. Read 1 John 2:15-17 and contrast this verse with Jesus words. 3. How will a Christian find blessedness, or happiness, according to this beatitude? Are we to be pursuing happiness or is it a by-product of another action? 7
4. Define righteousness: This righteousness is a step further than your salvation experience. Through the work of Christ by faith you have now been made right with God. Nothing can change this faith-based relationship. What Jesus is emphasizing -- in our lives -- will be most fulfilling and satisfying when we seek to live a life free from sin in all its forms and appearances. To live a life that is right before God. 5. What other terms or words describe righteousness? 6. Jesus is quoted in John 8:29, referring to His own pursuit, what was it? 7. What is the result of righteousness? Psalms 17:15 Psalms 27:3-4 Jesus is not merely instructing us in behavior. The type of righteousness He is describing here is an inner reward. To live in harmony with God, in holiness, both in action and attitude, yields conformity to who Christ is. This is a life that best replicates who Jesus is to the world around us. There is no greater sense of satisfaction to a believer than to have the life of Christ seen by others through him. Let your light shine! 8. What are you hungry for? What are the longings of your heart? Whom should we seek for help in our attitudes about what we want from life. What changes may need to be made, in order to desire righteousness? Record a fresh commitment to hunger for God alone. Warren Wiersbe, notes in his book Live Like a King, that the believer who hungers and thirsts after righteousness is giving evidence not only of life but also of health. He explains that a spiritually healthy person is hungry and thirsty for God. He contrasts this with one who is spiritually ill, or sick, and diseased with sin and rebellion. The first symptom of spiritual illness is a lack of appetite for the things of God. Attempting to feed our souls with anything other than God will allow sin to separate us from Him. A good spiritual thermometer is for us to measure our hunger for God. See if you desire to be in fellowship with God and other believers. Notice your view of studying His word. This hunger and thirsting makes us desire more and more of Him and his word. This is the only NO-FAT, No-Calorie diet we need to be on! Jesus will further expand the definitions and examples of righteous living in this sermon. Be prepared to be stretched in your thinking. ~Remember to put to memory Matthew 5:5-6~ 8