One of the manifestations of meekness is dependence. Jesus made this clear when He said, “Without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Any believer who seeks to do things without relying on God’s grace is presumptuous, if not proud. Interestingly, Jesus who warned that without Him we can do nothing also said that He could do nothing of Himself. Knowing Jesus’ status makes this instructive. When Paul wrote about Him to the Philippians, he noted that it was not robbery for Jesus to equate Himself with God. He only opted to become obedient to the point of death when He came in human form.

“Looking somber does not translate into meekness, except that is backed up with absolute surrender and dependence on the Lord.”

Jesus’ life brings to light several lessons about meekness. Firstly, meekness makes us dependent on God. As divine as Jesus was (and still is), He would venture nothing without the Father’s approval. It is easy to confuse meekness with miens. Looking somber does not translate into meekness, except that is backed up with absolute surrender and dependence on the Lord. Secondly, meekness is a choice. Nobody forced Jesus to do what He did. When He became human, He chose to humble Himself. Once an external force is involved, that is coercion and no longer meekness. Finally, in Jesus, we see the tremendous blessing in meekness. His submission to the point of
death made the Father exalt Him, giving Him a name that is above others.