“… the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek …” ~ Isaiah 61:1
When Jesus read from the ancient scroll in the synagogue in Nazareth, He used the word “poor” instead of “meek”. “…because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor.” This gives more light on the word “meek”. When Jesus finished His great invitation to “come unto me … and rest,” He added that we were to learn of Him. And He gave only one reason for this learning. “… learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” “Poor” in heart. Not arrogant.
He did not say that we were to learn of Him because of His creativity or His power, but becauseHe is “meek and lowly in heart.” True meekness does not have to be proven right. True meekness is always willing to be made right.
“Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered … “ (Hebrews 5:8a). The Spirit of the Lord God was upon Jesus Christ. He had been anointed to preach the good tidings. I believe He was anointed to preach them to everyone. “Come unto me, all ye …” (Matthew 11:28a). But knowing what He knew about human nature, Jesus realized that only the meek, only the teachable, only those who were open God-ward, would learn! Only those could grasp the humility of God.
If, according to the Word of God, Jesus Christ Himself “learned … obedience by the things which he had suffered,” might it not be that our sufferings are the gate to the obedient life in Christ?
“Beloved. Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; … [who] Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”
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