Models of Meekness

"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." - Matthew 11:29 (NKJV)

When Jesus invites us to take His yoke and learn from Him, He describes Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart.” That’s meekness. It’s not weakness, but strength under control—strength that is submitted to the will of God.

When we think about meekness, it can be hard to grasp because it’s so contrary to what the world values. The world celebrates the loudest, most assertive voices. But Jesus flips that upside down. He says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

The Bible is full of examples of meekness lived out in real life. Take Abraham in Genesis 13:8-12, for instance. Abraham had every right to choose the best land for himself, but he didn’t. He let Lot decide, and Lot chose what appeared to be the better land. Abraham didn’t complain or try to take matters into his own hands. Abraham trusted that God would take care of him no matter what. His meekness didn’t diminish his strength—it revealed his unwavering faith in God’s provision.

Or consider David in 1 Samuel 24:6-7 and 26:9-11. God had already anointed him as king, but Saul was still on the throne of Israel. David refused to take Saul’s life, even when Saul was trying to kill him. David’s men urged him to act, but David said, “I will not touch the Lord’s anointed.” David could have claimed the throne by force, but he chose to wait on God’s timing. That’s meekness—strength shaped by trust in God.

Then there’s Jesus, the ultimate example of meekness. He could have called legions of angels to rescue Him from the cross, but He didn’t (Matthew 26:53-54). He willingly laid down His life, submitting to the Father’s will for our salvation. His meekness wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was the greatest display of strength in all of history.

What does this mean for us? Meekness is about surrendering our will and trusting God’s plan. It’s laying down our entitlement, our pride, and our desire to control situations.

This is what it looks like to take Jesus’ yoke—to trust His leading, even when it doesn’t seem like the obvious path. And here’s the beauty: Jesus promises rest for those who take His yoke. When we trust Him, we find peace.

Reflection Question: In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust God’s plan?

Dear Lord, thank You for showing us what true meekness looks like through the life of Jesus. Help me to surrender my pride, my plans, and my desire for control. Teach me to trust You in every situation, knowing that Your ways are perfect and Your timing is always right. I want to take Your yoke and find the rest You promise. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Adapted from "Meekness is Not Weakness" - https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/49hzcv8/3-meekness-is-not-weakness