Keep’n Up with the Jones’ vs. Keeping satisfied with Jesus

Next week begins a new opportunity for me. After several months of networking new connections, broadcasting my interest, data mining essential research, the Lord has truly provided an opportunity for advancement in my work that is beyond what I could have even crafted for myself.

Looking forward to this opportunity, I can’t help but think about envisioning what success will look like: shattering established goals, doubling high value client relationships, propelling my team forward in their own personal career goals. And with these thoughts comes pressure. And with these thoughts, comes the concerns “how am I going to be able to succeed, without becoming consumed in the world’s entangling appetite the lusts for more fame, more power, more riches, and more success?”

Losing a biblical lens of our wealth, our lives, and our future, is a dangerous distortion we are all vulnerable to. Thankfully, God makes us privy to His inheritance for His people.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Mat 5:5 ESV)

Of all the beatitudes, this might be one of the least appreciated (or most bewildering) to the Western mind. I don’t see many rock music fans, driven American business people, or UFC spectators attaching well with this one. What does “meek” mean?

As often as Jesus teaching is recognized as being unique authoritative and unlike any ever hear by his audience before (Mt 7:9), it is almost never without Old Testament precedent. It is no coincidence that we see the phrase for the meek inheriting the earth[1] almost identically borrowed from Psalm 37:11:

“But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” (ESV)

The Psalm is one of encouragement and exhortation for “humble”[2] who are told “do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers,” and “do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked themes.” Instead of falling prey to worry, “those who wait for the YHWH shall inherit the land” (37:3, 9, 11, 22, 29, 34).

And what of this “land?” The Land in question is the long awaited inheritance of Israel- the land promised since the Exodus, the promised boundaries where exiled and nomadic Israel will finally find her rest. And the author of Hebrews helps us explain how Jesus, as the hermeneutical key between the testaments, clarifies what this “land,” and this “rest” can be tasted and enjoyed today by those who believe in Jesus (Heb 4:3).

Altogether, we see Jesus’ promise on “the mount,” is really in line with God’s message from the OT times: in a world where the unrighteous seem to thrive, and success is on the side of the world, the people of God are not to resent, or to violently compete, but to wait…for YHWH to provide his perfect inheritance.