I think it is no accident that this verse rises to the top during our Friday Focus today:
Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 CSB
Have you seen any humble or meek (as other versions translate it) people lately? In a world that spins on self-centered social media posts, Hollywood and sports stars, media “personalities”, politicians, and perhaps not so few pastors or ministry moguls (which should be an oxymoron), the humble are few and far between. Even if there were more than we imagined, they’re not going to be showing their faces on Facebook, right?
So, why does Jesus look at the crowd, see the meek, and grant them the earth as an inheritance?
Why indeed? Doesn’t he know that we’re attempting great things for God, shining our light for him, and making a difference in the world for his glory? Why mention the humble when we’re working so hard for the Kingdom?
Could it be that it’s because the humble are modeling Jesus, which makes the greater impact?
What was it Jesus said to his disciples when they were arguing about who was the greatest?
“If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all.” He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but him who sent me.”
Mark 9:35-37
In the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus tells of a king who gives his inheritance to those who fed the hungry, gave the thirsty something to drink, invited in the stranger and gave him clothes, took care of the sick, and visited those in prison. Jesus was there as they ministered to the “least of these” with no thought of personal glory. Jesus had a final word for the indignant ones, who did nothing out of personal sacrifice:
“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:46
When I reflect on this verse in light of our current reality, I can hear Jesus’s clear voice to those who are not swayed by the noise of this world but are simply “going about their Father’s business” in humbleness of spirit: “You are the blessed ones, my friends! Keep on walking in the way that I walked, touching lives as I touched, for your reward is sure. Your inheritance is in the new earth to come. Wait and see! Don’t lose hope or be in despair. I see you.”
Do you hear Jesus speaking his blessing over you today? Push all the competing sounds of this world aside and tune your ear to the signal that matters. It’s not what you do, but who you trust in and are like that is important. Be like Jesus. Paul told the believers in Philippi to be:
Thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:2-4
In other words: Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus.
Grace and Peace