Mild Mannered Man
Mtt 16:13-17
Peter- standing in the physical presence of Jesus- but his understanding- did not come by- natural senses.
His understanding- who Jesus was-came by revelation.
Today, each person needs- same revelation of Christ.
Much can be learned about Jesus by His
actions/words, as well as by the names He called Himself.
One name Jesus used for Himself was the Son of Man.
At first glance- does not seem to be a title of royalty.
In that sense it can be viewed as a title of humility.
However, the title, the Son of Man- also conveys that Jesus has the authority to judge mankind because-
He took on the form of a man, experienced all we experience, and
yet lived a sinless life.
Today- talk about- the humility/meekness of God and what that means for us as believers.
God the Father
David, as a mighty king, makes this statement-
Psa 18:35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great.
The strength of God’s character can be seen in His humility and meekness.
Meekness is power under control. It is the restraint of power for the accomplishment of a higher cause (Alan Hood).
Too often we confuse meekness with weakness.
Weakness is the absence of power- you have no options, there is nothing you can do, you are weak.
Meekness- possessing power- refraining from using it.
The same God who created the sun/moon/stars/earth- is the good shepherd of Psa 23-
Psa 23:1-6
The Sin of Pride
Genuine meekness is difficult for man to embrace.
Too often man exhibit the sin of pride which results in bitterness, envy, and fills the earth with violence.
You can see this as you look at the history of mankind.
Gen 4- first violent act- Cain/Abel- jealousy and envy.
By Genesis 6, God is ready to destroy all of mankind-
Gen 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence.
Today we continue to see the man’s pride drive the world deeper into violence/man’s love grows cold.
Jesus Christ
We gain understanding of the heart of God the Father by examining the life of Jesus Christ.
Jn 1:14, 18
Explain- to declare, to reveal, to make known.
Jesus, as the exact image of God, displays the gentleness of God toward the weak/broken.
We see power restrained to help the weak and broken.
Mk 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
This can be seen at the institution of the Lord’s supper-
Jn 13:5, 8, 12-15
He willingly submitted to- Father’s plan for His life-
Jn 5:19 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing.
Jesus did not go to- rich/powerful to gain recognition.
Instead He ate at the houses of tax-collectors/sinners.
Jesus exhibited meekness to bring about the greater purpose of love and the redemption of mankind.
Jn 19:10-11
Some feel- Jesus exhibited weakness in this situation.
He was not weak, He was meek- He could of called in reinforcements-
Mtt 26:53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
He subjected His power to God the Father.
He restrained His power for a higher cause.
Meekness in Man
So what about us as the Lord’s disciples?
Should we also exhibit meekness in our lives?
If so, how do we do that and what does that mean?
Meekness attracts the very heart of God- His favor.
Ja 4:6 "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
True humility comes when we set our lives against the life of Christ and His demands for a godly life.
Mtt 5:48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. NASU
Pride comes when we compare ourselves to others.
Phil 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
How can we learn humility?
Mtt 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. NASU
We must learn to look at the life of Jesus and compare ourselves with Him and not with those around us.
Third Beatitude- Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Mtt 5:5
Gentleness/Meekness has primarily to do w/person’s relationship to God, secondarily to other people.
Meekness is being more concerned for- advancement of the interests of others over our own interest.
Abraham did not demand his rights with Lot--
Ge 13:5-12 he let Lot pick the land he wanted first
Meek person- a person who yields quickly to the will and purposes of God for their life, w/o struggle.
Individually, too often we are more concerned with justifying ourselves rather than edifying others.
The Pursuit of Meekness
1. Become aware
Become aware of the significance of meekness in the Kingdom of God.
Take time to study and examine the meekness of Jesus.
Learning to look at Jesus life will produce in the human heart a longing to be like Him.
This longing helps to cleanse our hearts of pride and the resultant violence that accompanies it.
2. Pursue
Set your mind to pursue meekness, learn to value it.
Col 3:1-4
3. Breakthrough
Allow your heart to possess meekness, learn to enjoy it as a lifestyle.
Conclusion
2 Cor 3:17-18, Phil 2:3-11
