1. The Life of Christ – Lesson 7
January 31, 2018
Matthew Chapters 5-7
Luke 6:20-49
The Life of Christ – Lesson 7
The Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:5-6
“Blessed are the gentle (meek) …
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness …”

2. “Blessed are the gentle/meek …”
What does it mean to be “gentle” (NASB) or “meek” (ASV; ESV; KJV; NKJV)?
Not weakness or passivity. Not indecision or cowardly. Not lacking talents or strength.
“It is that temper of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting” (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) – “At Your word” (Luke 5:5; 1 Samuel 3:10)

3. “Blessed are the gentle/meek …”
What does it mean to be “gentle” or “meek”?
Power/strength under control.
“Harnessed strength … not occupied with self … a horse that is obedient to the reins” (Joe Price)

4. “Blessed are the gentle/meek …”
What does it mean to be “gentle” or “meek”?
In classical Greek – one use of a farmer for a donkey that has been broken and is now useful. Matthew 11:28-30
Easily entreated. One who will not quarrel or contend with our Maker. Isaiah 45:9
“Ready to yield rather than cause trouble” (Eugene Britnell citing Cruden’s Concorance)

5. “Blessed are the gentle/meek …”
What does it mean to be “gentle” or “meek”?
Quality of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 10:1
Similar to Psalms 37:1-11
(Don’t fret, be envious; be angry … rather, trust, delight, commit, rest, wait, be humble (meek, gentle).

6. “Blessed are the gentle/meek …”
What does it mean to be “gentle” (NASB) or “meek” (ASV; ESV; KJV; NKJV)?
To be pursued – doesn’t come “naturally”. 1 Timothy 6:11. How?
It’s not impossible to be poor in spirit and to mourn and yet resist being gentle or meek.

7. “Blessed are the gentle/meek …”
Chiefly towards God but also towards other people:
The opposition – 2 Timothy 2:25
Family. 1 Peter 3:4, 7
Unbelievers. 1 Peter 3:15
Believers. Ephesians 4:1-2
All men. Titus 3:1-2; Colossians 3:12; Philippians 4:5

8. “Blessed are the gentle/meek …”
Examples:
Moses – Numbers 12:3
Jesus – Matthew 11:28-30
Paul – Galatians 2:20
Moses – not in terms of lack of temper but control, not in terms of timidity but reverent leadership; in patience towards his enemies; in submission without complaint.