Blessed are those who mourn
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The Beatitudes
[Jesus] said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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I walked a mile with laughter
She chatted all the way
But not a thing I learned
For all she had to say
Then I walked a mile with sorrow
Not a word said she
But all the things I learned the day
That sorrow walked with me
Jeremy Spencer: Bend in the Road
“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted” Matthew 5:4
Mourn
How can this be, it doesn’t sound like a blessed state – mourning.
‘Blessed are those who mourn,’ the Greek word used here for mourn is the strongest Greek word for lamenting the death of a loved one. So, does it actually mean, ‘a sorrow that is not only heartache but uncontrollable gutsy chest heaving tears?’ In the context of Jesus preaching to his gathered disciples on the mount overlooking the Sea of Galilee, this statement is unlikely to mean, ‘Blessed are those who mourn for the death of a loved one.’ According to Stott it is more likely that Jesus was saying ‘Blessed are those who mourn like those who mourn the death of a loved one.’
Why would this be appropriate to say to this crowd and specifically these twelve disciples and you and I? To answer this we need to look to the introduction of the Beatitudes namely, that these are a collective. The poor in Spirit, realising they are unable to rescue themselves spiritually, then mourn with deep heartache and uncontrollable gutsy tears, crying out to the only one who can help – the Lord who hears our cry and meets the longing with new life in Christ.
From Spiritual poverty, there is a progression …
1. you mourn and cry out to the Lord and (if that is for the first time) you become a child of God, and He is your Abba father. You mourn as you admit the problem is me, my sin, my self-sufficiency and
2. in humble meekness we turn to God realising that it is only by His grace that we are born anew, meekly saying ‘Lord I need you, your help, your presence, you in me and Jesus says ‘blessed are the meek.’ As he transforms us (3) a hunger and thirst for righteousness develops
It is plain from the context that the comfort Jesus promised is ‘not primarily those who mourn the loss of a loved one, but those who mourn the loss of innocence, their righteousness, their self-respect. It is not the sorrow of bereavement ….but the sorrow of repentance.’ Stott, Christian Counter Culture, pg 41.
In a word - Repentance
Repentance is not a popular theme in modern spirituality but it is all well and good to realise our spiritual poverty but if that reality does not break our hearts there is no redemption, no turning from sin. Famously in the shortest recorded verse in the bible ‘Jesus wept’ over the people’s sins. Our sin should bring us to tears. Perhaps our evangelical emphasis on the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus, which is so true, has conveyed a laissez-faire attitude that our sin is not all that bad. On the contrary, as we bewail our sin and wretchedness, distressed by our part in, and association with, our sin that our Lord bore on the cross – we experience his comfort and freedom that only forgiveness can bring.
The cross is a stark reminder of the effects of sin, my sin, our sin. Even the blandest of sin is so vile it separates us from a Holy God as he who knew no sin, took my sin upon himself – he atoned for me, and you. Surely, that truth leads us to be penitent and repent and weep – blessed are those who mourn. If that is your experience, as it has been mine, we will indeed be comforted as forgiveness mends our broken heart.
Paul mourned his sin. Romans 7:21-25 ‘…Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!’
Notice the vocabulary of battle, ‘waging war’, prisoner of the law of sin,’ ‘wretched man.’ Paul could look back to his Damascus road experience and hear the Lord asking Paul, Why are you persecuting me?’ Paul understood that deliverance was only possible ‘through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ This is mourning and Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Roger was a friend who had completed a church-based course on exploring Christianity. We met in his home to speak about ‘where he was at’ with his exploration. Roger said he was ready to invite Christ into his life and commit himself to following Jesus as his Lord. As we prayed a deliberate prayer of commitment, Roger began to weep, deep sobbing and virtually incomprehensible groanings. I was weeping too. We continued in this attitude of prayer where little was said or prayed. After about 15 minutes of silent praying, and crying, I ventured, ‘Are you alright?’
Roger replied, ‘I feel great.’
What was going on, I probed?
‘I was letting go of burdens I have carried too long, sin and shame and years and years of blame.’
How do you feel now?
‘I feel lighter - set free of all that I have been carrying, unable to help myself.’
‘Has the Lord lifted that load?’
’Absolutely.’
“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted” Matthew 5:4
Cast your care on Jesus today
Leave your worry and fear
Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary
Jesus is very near
Chorus: Burdens are lifted at Calvary (Lifted at Calvary)
Calvary (Lifted at Calvary), Calvary (Lifted at Calvary)
Burdens are lifted at Calvary (Lifted at Calvary)
Jesus is very near John M Moore
