Inheritance

Jesus’ next declaration is like a highway with many subsidiary roads and loop routes. The directions we can take are many, but we will traverse one particular access road.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 NRSV)

I’d like you to note that some translations say "inherit the land". And I mention this not just as trivia but because it bears significance. You see, as was mentioned before, Jesus’ audience knew the Scriptures well. At synagogue, when the Rabbi quoted even a line, they could fill in the rest. So, these words would have jogged the memories of those listening to Jesus.

Psalm 37:9, 11 and 29 say,

For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.

But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

The godly shall inherit the land and live in it forever.

Here we can clearly see the inextricable connection between the meek, and the godly. To be meek, is to be godly, desiring God’s will to take precedence in your life, surrendering to Him, relying wholeheartedly upon Him. Sounds familiar? The “poor in spirit”, “those who mourn”? Can you see the thread that is weaving through these beatitudes?

Yet again you see the need to relinquish your self-sufficient attitude. To come out from under that bondage of human effort and religious works and spiritually step into what God has for you, your inheritance, not just in the future but even right now, today. You are “blessed” now.

Adam was given dominion over the earth, all the land, but he lost it in his utter disobedience to God. He forsook his inheritance, and that loss affected all of us. However, through Jesus Christ, known as the Second Adam, that inheritance has been fully restored.

What was granted to the first Adam has been given back to us but in greater measure since we have the opportunity to abide in Jesus and He in us. Being in and of Him, we acquire His divine nature which involves inheritance, an inheritance bought for every one of us through His shed Blood at Calvary.

This inheritance has nothing to do with any contrived meekness but through the meekness instilled within us by the Holy Spirit, The Comforter, as an element of the fruit of the spirit in the form of gentleness (see Galatians 5:22-23). It is the Meekness of Christ replicated in those who become partakers of His divine nature (see Philippians 2:6-8).

Inheritance speaks of God’s blessings, it is a sign of belonging, a reflection of our new identity in Christ and is symbolic of a place of security within His Kingdom (see Luke 12:32).

May we fully apprehend this amazing Truth as we chew on this throughout the day.

Amen!

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Inheritance” © January 22, 2025