“Meekness is a countercultural virtue, but one we are all called to by Christ.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 4, 2026
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
Over the summer, my children and I made a slow study of today’s verse, imagining ourselves getting dressed in the morning and putting on each Christ-like attribute like a piece of clothing. Explaining each virtue was easy enough… until we arrived at meekness. Whatever did it look like to put on meekness? How would I even describe the term to my very young children? At first attempt, I stumbled a bit for an explanation, I think because I have internalized a common misunderstanding of it. Subconsciously, I aligned meekness with weakness or timidity. Naturally, I, like every parent, desire my children to develop strength of character, a backbone to defend themselves when wronged, and a boldness in their faith. To my imagination’s impression of cowering little mice, meekness sounded like the antithesis of that parental desire. But as I took a step back and looked at Christ as the exemplar of this fruit of the spirit, I came to understand that meekness has nothing to do with weakness, but is in fact a sign of strength born out of faith in Christ’s conquering work.
When we look at Christ, who proclaimed himself to be “meek and lowly of heart” (Matthew 11:29), we find his meekness a welcome invitation to come alongside him without fear or shame. He is the king who stoops down to take our yoke upon his own shoulders. But in order to meekly carry our yoke, he must be the strong sustainer of all our burdens. Likewise, Christ is heralded in Scripture as the Lamb of God who meekly went to the cross like a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). But we have only to skip ahead to Revelation 5 to discover that same Lamb seated on his eternal throne, a victorious picture of perfect power. How do these two pictures – the meekness and the strength, the surrender and the victory – hold together? The answer is, Christ was meek in the face of his oppressors because he was secure in God’s victorious purpose being fulfilled through him. Rather than fighting in self-defense, Jesus left his defense to the One who would raise him from the dead and seat him on the throne above all powers and dominions, including death itself.
What does this mean for us, called to be meek like Christ? For one thing, it means that, while we defend the Truth (just as Jesus always did against those who twisted it), we can put down our dukes when it comes to defending ourselves against wrongs, rather large ones or just those little niggling annoyances. But we can only accomplish the ability to be meek if we gain a vision of God’s already-won victory in our lives. The more we glory in that victory, the less we will think of the petty injuries and insults dealt to us in this life. When we fix our eyes on Christ who sits even now on the throne, who despised even the cross’s shame in light of the joy before him, we too can endure the insults and injuries life brings in light of the joy in store for us.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please teach me what it means to be meek as you are meek. Help me to walk yoked with you and learn to trust you to carry my every burden. Amen.
Application
Rather than fighting for your rights or defending your corner when someone insults you, try putting on meekness. Look to Christ, the enthroned Lamb, as your inspiration.
Related Reading
Psalm 37:10-11; Matthew 5:5; James 3:13; Hebrews 12:1-2
Worship Resource
Matt Papa: Meek and Lowly
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