Meek Old Mr. Martin

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:5; James 3:13-18

“Meek old Mr. Martin couldn’t hurt a flea,” the girls sang as they jumped rope. Aurora looked up and saw her dad watching them from the balcony with a slight frown as they continued the rhyme. Every new verse began with the words “Meek old Mr. Martin,” and it went on to describe another way in which he was weak.

At dinner, Dad asked Aurora if she knew the meaning of the word meek.

“Sure,” Aurora said as she spooned some corn onto her plate. “It means to be a wimp.”

“It can refer to someone who gives in to others very easily,” Dad said, “but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a wimp. Did you know that the Bible says the meek are ‘blessed’? The Bible indicates that Jesus was meek too. Do you think He was a wimp?”

“Of course not!” answered Aurora. She was surprised at the thought of Jesus being meek.

“I don’t think so either,” said Dad. “Jesus was totally the opposite! He knew how much He would suffer by going to the cross, but He came to earth anyway so we could be saved.”

“Then what does it really mean to be meek?” asked Aurora.

“Well, a similar word for meek is humble,” said Dad. “It’s human nature to be proud and to think about ourselves first, but as Christians, we need to be like Jesus and put others before ourselves.” Dad smiled. “I just want to make sure you know that being meek is often a good thing.”

Aurora nodded thoughtfully. “I guess we should make up a different rhyme. We could change it to, uh, ‘Weak old Willie Weller’ instead of ‘Meek old Mr. Martin.’ What do you think?”

“I guess that would work,” said Dad, “but don’t you think it would be even better if you made it say something kind—like ‘Nice old Nellie Norton’—and then describe some nice things she did?”

Aurora shrugged, then nodded. “Sure. That would work too.” She grinned. “Maybe you should come jump rope with us and help us make up more rhymes!” Raelene E. Phillips

How About You?

Are you meek? In other words, are you humble? Do you think of others instead of just yourself? Jesus became a humble servant for you, and He wants you to be humble too so others can see His love for them. Instead of thinking only of yourself, remember Jesus’ sacrifice for you and be meek and humble like He was.

Today’s Key Verse: James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Be humble