At Bible Baptist Church, we are currently going through a series on the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon begins with the beatitudes.

The third one is the one I want to look at today. “Blessed (or Happy) are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5

It is no secret that everyone wants to be happy, but the world’s formula for happiness differs greatly from the one that Jesus gave.

He demonstrated this for us in John 13, which gives us a fantastic picture of meekness. In verse 3 it tells us “Jesus knowing that the father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God”

This means that Jesus was fully conscious of who he was. He knew that the Lordship over the universe was his, He knew the shining seraphim, angels and archangels, bowed before him, and he knew his place was the very the throne of God. He had all authority.

It is important for us to know that he knew this to realize the value of what he did next.

Verse 4 says “He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.” Then He proceeded to wash the disciples’ feet! The humiliating work of a slave. That is the perfect picture of meekness.

Today we look at our authority and position, sometimes thinking that makes us better than others. I think God (symbolically) gives every Christian a towel. We are to serve him with it and use it for his glory. The “towel” (your talent or ability) is not to elevate you but to glorify God. The problem is when we are not meek, we toss the towel aside: “I’m not washing feet, who they think I am?” “I’m a third generation Christian.” “My family gives a lot of money to the church,” etc.

Jesus, realizing all his power and position, picked up a towel, knelt down and washed his disciples’ feet. That is meekness. I ask you today, will you let God use you? That is where true happiness lies. It is not so much our littleness that hinders Christ as it is our bigness. It is not so much our weakness that hinders Christ as our strength. It is not our darkness but our “supposed light” that holds back his power. God is not as concerned with what you do for him as what you allow him to do through you. I am simply asking today, set aside yourself — your position, and just pick up your towel.