8. The Meek

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

Today’s Reading: Luke 19:28-41, John 12:12-16

Meek and Might

One spring day, two parades entered Jerusalem. One was a display of power—Roman soldiers, war horses, and banners marching in to crush any sign of rebellion before it could start. The other parade was a man riding a donkey, surrounded by peasants and pilgrims crying, "Hosanna! Save us!" all in the name of Love.

Love and Empire have always been at odds. Many see Love as weak compared to brute force. But true power doesn't come from fear—it comes from trust in God. That's why Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (Matt 5:5)

The Greek word for "meek" means "gentleness of spirit." It describes someone who relies on God rather than their own strength to resist injustice. They believe that, in time, God will set things right. They are focused on something bigger than themselves. Jesus was the perfect example of meekness.

Towards the end of Jesus's ministry, he heads toward Jerusalem with his disciples. The city was the center of power—the Temple, the religious elite, and the Roman governor were all there. Many believed this was the moment for Jesus to take his rightful place as king. But Jesus knew what was coming. He had predicted his rejection and death three times. Still, he trusted God to vindicate him through resurrection.

Two Parades

Passover was approaching—a Jewish festival celebrating freedom from oppression. But under Roman oppression, it also stirred resentment and unrest. That's why Pontius Pilate arrived in full force, leading a military parade of legions of saluting soldiers through the city's Western gate. It was a show of strength, a warning not to rebel. Empires have always been run by the insecure because most of their tactics use fear.

But in Luke 19, as Jesus approached the city, he told two disciples to bring him a young donkey. When they returned, Jesus rode in, greeted by crowds laying cloaks and palm branches in his path. This was a powerful statement. Kings rode warhorses to conquer. Jesus rode a donkey to save. The crowds shouted:

"Hosanna!… Blessed is the King of Israel!" (John 12:13)

They expected a warrior messiah, someone to overthrow Rome. But Jesus wasn't here to crush their enemies their way —he was here to save them. As the crowd cheered, Jesus wept. They didn't understand.

Two Kingdoms

Jesus' arrival wasn't just a peaceful alternative to Pilate's parade but a direct challenge to Empire. Jared Stacy writes," Not only was Jesus intentionally staging a counter-procession, …but he was doing so in ways that rehearsed and reframed Israel's history." Entering Jerusalem meekly on a donkey was a reference to the Prophet Zechariah.

"See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey…" (Zechariah 9:9)

Jesus showed that God's kingdom didn't operate like Rome's. The people wanted a Rambo-style messiah—someone who would fight Rome's violence with God's violence. Instead, Jesus opposed both Empire's oppression and the spiritual darkness behind it.

His meekness wasn't weakness. It was power in its truest form. As this Holy Week progressed, Pilate and Jesus would meet face to face. And it would lead Jesus to his ultimate confrontation with darkness—on the Cross.

*Video was edited and produced by David Tregde. Script and direction by Julius Shumpert.

Mackie, Tim. “Learn About the Hidden Forces Guiding the World • Spiritual Beings (Ep. 3)” YouTube, The Bible Project, 14 Mar. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1rai6WoOJU&list=PLH0Szn1yYNeef2AIszbltRK15dgoxA_57&index=3.

Stacy, Jared. “The Shock of Palm Sunday.” Jared Stacy, 24 Mar. 2024, jaredstacy.com/2024/03/24/the-shock-of-palm-sunday/#:~:text=Yes:%20Pilate%20had%20a%20triumphal%20procession.&text=Originally%20reserved%20for%20victorious%20military,and%20mounted%20on%20an%20ass%E2%80%A6%E2%80%9D.

“Luke 12.” Holy Bible: New International Version, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 1984.

“John 19.” Holy Bible: New International Version, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 1984.

Bowker, John Westerdale. The Complete Bible Handbook. DK Publishing, 1998.

The Bible Book. DK Publishing, 2021.