Warning! This will be a “tad” longer than most, but I hope it will also be engaging and meaningful for you. So, let’s get down to unpacking the text at hand!!!

As Jesus continued to teach the multitudes about the “blessed life,” he moved beyond having a “humble spirit” (Mt. 5:3) and a “compassionate heart” (Mt. 5:4) to the need for having a “gracious disposition” (Mt. 5:5). The Greek word used by Jesus in Mt. 5:5 was the adjective praus (the noun form being prautes) and has traditionally been extremely difficult to translate into English. Aristotle used the word to refer to one’s disposition as being half way between anger and passivity. For him, it was a person who was always angry at the right time (like Jesus when He cleared the money changers out of the Temple), and never angry at the wrong time (like Jesus on the cross). For Aristotle, he was thinking of something like “moderation.” 

But let’s take a closer look at the word. You may recall that the King James Version of the Bible translates this verse as “Blessed are the ‘meek,’ for they shall inherit the earth” (Mt. 5:5). Modern translations use the word “gentle” or “humble.” When the King James translators used the word “meekness,” they were not implying “weakness,” even though that is how we often think of “meekness.” The ancient Greeks also used the word to refer to a wild stallion who, after being brought under bit and bridle, was said to be “tamed.” There is no question that this stallion represented a mountain of strength, but at the same time, it was “strength that had been brought under control.” I think that this is the essence of the word praus, or prautes.

Searching for the right word that best captures this meaning, I am suggesting we translate the word as “gracious.” This is the person who humbly receives God’s blessings, recognizing them as coming from His “unmerited favor,” and at the same time, extending that same “unmerited favor” to others. To extend “unmerited favor” to those who are antagonistic toward us, or those who have a generally “disagreeable disposition,” is a sign of strength, not weakness. Having a “gracious disposition” points to the fact that this strength comes from God through the Holy Spirit who dwells within every Christian (Gal. 5:23). It’s one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

In addition, Jesus said that those who possess a “gracious disposition” will “inherit the earth.” Now that is another challenging phrase to try and understand what Jesus was implying. First, the Greek word “ge” can be translated as either “earth” or “land,” and in many cases, because Jesus was living in the “land of Israel,” he was usually referring to the land that Israel possessed as an “inheritance” from God. David said, “….the humble will inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity” (Ps. 37:11). Interestingly, under David’s reign, the Israelites had already “possessed the land” which occurred hundreds of years earlier under the leadership of Joshua. 

Capturing Jesus’ meaning is indeed a challenge, but I feel certain that Jesus was not speaking of inheriting any physical plot of land. He always rejected being King over any “physical” or “material” Kingdom, and I don’t believe that this was His intention here. Let me give you another thought that I believe captures Jesus’ meaning. In the Book of Hebrews, the writer talks about followers of Christ “entering into His rest,” that is, “God’s rest.” He reminds his readers that if Joshua had given the Israelites rest when they entered the Promised Land, “he would not have spoken of another day after that. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Heb. 4:8-9). He goes on to tell us that Jesus “…entered His rest when He entered heaven and rested from His works, just as God rested from His works on the Sabbath Day after creation” (Heb. 4:10). And then, the writer exhorts every believer to “…be diligent to enter into His rest…” (Heb. 4:11). To “enter His rest” is to enter “the land” that encapsulates His rest; it’s the same “land” that Jesus entered when He ascended into heaven.” It’s “heaven’s land,” so to speak.

But there is a bit more. Jesus spoke of His followers as “inheriting eternal life” (Mt. 19:29). I am convinced that when a believer “enters into His rest,” it has both a temporal as well as an eternal meaning. Remember when Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle (gracious) and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Mt. 11:28-29). That’s the temporal aspect of the “rest” that Jesus gives us as He carries our burdens, specifically the burdens of sin. It’s a present experience for all those who find “rest for their souls,” just as Jesus said. And we know that those who “enter His rest” now will one day “enter His rest” for all eternity in heaven.

A final exhortation – Let’s each of us ask God to give us a “gracious disposition.” Such a disposition is not harsh, aggressive, demanding, or controlling, but is always extending grace toward others. That’s how Jesus described Himself, and you cannot read the gospels without capturing His “gracious disposition” toward all. And, needless to say, He expects His followers to possess that same quality. If we don’t have it now, ask God to give it to you. He will if you just ask Him. Blessings to each of you.