159. Preach Good News to the Meek
Isaiah 61:1a The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.
Jesus of Nazareth quotes this prophecy from Isaiah and applies it to himself. He claims that the Lord has anointed him as the Christ to preach good news to the meek. The promise is true for us: we hear the good tidings of great joy, which is for all people. The “meek” includes all people. Meek does not mean milk toast weakness, or a turn-the-other-cheek kind of guy, or a let-the-bullies-beat-up-on-you person. Meek means “open to teaching,” “willing to learn,” accepting help, needing and trusting someone else, a humble attitude, a spirit that knows “I don’t know it all.” It does mean soft in the sense of willing to be impressed with the imprint of the life of God on my soul; not hard like a rock or the seed on the pathway and rocky ground.
Therefore, Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek.” The meek includes everybody except those who in their deceived pride don’t want or need the help of God. Pride turns away the love of God and hardens the heart against forgiveness and life. For this reason repentance, contrition and humility are necessary. The hammer of the Law tenderizes the heart to make it soft enough (like plowed ground) to receive the Good News. Meekness does not make God love and forgive you; meekness merely is willing to receive the love and forgiveness that the Lord offers to all people. The Gospel is preached to the meek = the seed falls on good soil = hear the word and hold it fast in an honest and good heart.
To receive the promise of Good News of great joy from the Anointed One simply be meek, that is, humble and soft enough to receive the implanted word in an honest and good heart. Allow the Spirit to use the Law to break up the fallow ground and receive the seed of good tidings. “I am meek, but He is kind.”