I am a Jesus pusher!!! “Blessed are the meek,” (Matthew 5:5). The disciples constantly misunderstood. They expected a military Messiah who would restore the nation of Israel back to the pomp and glory of the days of Solomon (Acts 1:6). Due to the great oppression of Rome, the Jews longed for deliverance from domination. It was expected that Jesus would use His miracle power for military victory. A meek Messiah leading weak people was not their idea of a Messianic Kingdom. Peter rebuked Jesus when He expressed His meekness in terms of bleeding, suffering, and dying. Military victory and miracle power are understood; the power of meekness is incomprehensible.
The Old Testament prophecies clearly proclaimed the meekness of the Messiah. Isaiah the prophet pictured Him as despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). In describing His role, Isaiah said, “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4, 5).
Jesus said, “Congratulations belong to the meek.” That is just as startling as “Congratulations to the poor in spirit” or “Congratulations to those who mourn.” It is the reverse of everything we have thought or projected in our culture. It is so foreign to our basic philosophy of life we cannot reconcile it. Jesus sourcing my life will produce this great quality. His presence will be the only way I can share in “meekness.” I am a Jesus pusher!!!