“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth...”

- Matthew 5:5

Our Lord Jesus calls those blessed who are meek. He means those who are of a patient and kind spirit. Those who are willing to suffer much on this earth and do so with little honor or fanfare.

They suffer offense without going on the offensive. They bear injuries without resentment.

Their finances, families, friends, and life may fail them, but they do not lose heart. They are never losers in the long run. One day they shall "reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10).

In a word, the meek are people willing to be called fools for Christ. When the Bible speaks of the word fool, it speaks in one of three types.

The first type is the fool-proper. This fool says in his heart, "there is no God" (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). This type of fool rejects God and rejects all godly wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7).

The second type of fool is the fool-bearer. This is someone willing to be called a fool for the sake of Christ (1 Cor. 4:10). Much like the apostles who were shamed as fools in Acts 5:41. The Bible tells us that "they left the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be shamed for the name."

Men like Paul, who said in 2 Corinthians 12:10, "For the sake of Christ, I am content with insults... The same Paul who was beaten with rods, thrown in jail, and at midnight he and Silas start singing (Acts 16)! The guards must have thought that they were crazy— fools for Christ!

Because of their meek spirit, these men and women suffered much for the cause of Christ. Their reward? They will inherit the earth. The very world that humiliated and shamed them, they will rule!

The fool-bearers will rule because of Jesus Christ, the fool-maker. Christ is the third type of fool, He is a fool-maker. He is the one that, in the end, makes everyone else foolish.

• The Christ who said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Who is fooling now?
  
  
• The Christ who said, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!" Who is fooling now?
  
  
• The Christ who they thought to be just a man, but He claimed to be God (John 10:33)... who is fooling now?

When Jesus rose from the grave and went to sit a the right hand of the Father, anyone, anywhere, at any time who has ever doubted him, He made them a fool. As fool-bearers, we follow the Fool-maker. And it is our meekness that keeps us. A meek spirit that allows us to suffer much for the One who suffered most. A meek spirit that enables us to receive shame and humiliation with joy! A meek spirit that is shaping us, forming us, helping us get ready for our inheritance. For the meek shall inherit the earth!

Your prayer today, "Lord, allow me to be counted a fool for you. When humiliation and shame come my way, give me meekness Lord, that I would patiently endure for you."

Press on,
Pastor Harp