City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

“Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth”

Matthew 5:5

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 1:26

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Genesis 3:6

Reflection

Back in Genesis, God blesses Humanity, that they may rule the earth on His behalf. Soon though, when they saw that the forbidden fruit looked good for nourishment, pleasing to the eye, and that it would make them wise, they took and ate it. As a result of their disobedience, they abdicated their commission as rulers because they tarnished the image of God. When they did not obey God’s command, and decided what was good for themselves, they tarnished the image of God on them and abdicated its authority to the clutches of the enemy.

However, Jesus drops a huge reversal of that bad news. Ever still, the meek will still inherit the earth! The curse is not forever, there is One who won’t fall into the trap. Jesus is one, who takes Humanity’s authority over the earth back away from the enemy. He does so by His meekness.

Application

When humanity falls into being wise in our own eyes, and taking what seems right to us, apart from the Word of God, we sell our birthright as image-bearers of God. However, because Jesus has overcome the enemy, bought our ransom, and restored us in His name as rulers and priests of His Kingdom to the earth.

Prayer

Father,
May we, by the power of Your Spirit, overcome temptation: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life. Amen