“Mary said, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true”… How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.” Luke 1:38,48, NLT.
If there was ever a person who knew from the start what it means to be meek, it was Mary, the mother of Jesus. A young, unmarried girl in ancient Israel, knew her place in society, and it was not at the head of the class. So when an angel paid her a visit one day her first thought was, ‘why are you, an angel, coming to visit me, a young girl with no rights or privileges?’
You could say that this was the first indication of her meekness, the absence of an expectation of privilege or prestige. Mary would have thought herself last for consideration as the mother of the Lord. Last!
A meek person does not begin with entitlement. Entitled people say, “I’m worth it” or “I deserve this.”
Meek people begin with “I’m a child of God” or “I want to present myself as a disciple of Jesus” or “God does God’s best work through meekness, powerlessness, and acceptance.”
Mary was a poor teenaged girl. She had nothing to offer. Nevertheless, she trusted God to use her anyway. Her starting place was God, not herself. For that matter, Jesus’ fishermen apostles were not chosen for their resumes.
And the people that the four gospels shine a light on are characteristically meek. Like the Canaanite woman who begged Jesus to heal her daughter, Matthew 15:21-28. Or invisible people like Dorcas who helped out widows in the town of Joppa, Acts 9:36-42.
Mary was, and is, typical of people who lay down their rights, fears, and demands in order to be used by God for God’s purpose. They are truly meek.
Prayer:
O God, you’ve always had a soft spot for people who don’t put on airs. Who take the last place and the thankless place. Meekness is a noble and pure way to be in the world, and we pray for your guidance and correction as we live our lives today. May we be Meek like Mary, Jesus, Dorcas, and others of your followers. In Jesus name. Amen.