Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4, WEB).
Jesus Christ knows suffering is not in itself blessed; however, suffering is a part of life in this world.
David experienced the sorrows of life. He said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away and be at rest. Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness … I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm” (Palms 55:6-8, WEB). David had many sorrowful and threatening things happen to him. At times, he wanted to run away as far as he could.
At times I have felt a little bit like David. I have wanted to run away from problem situations. Most likely there are many people who, at times have thought, “If only I could escape my problems and find rest. “
Blessed are those who mourn seems to be a statement that is contrary to common belief, a statement that is unbelievable. The Greek word for mourn is to “bewail primarily for the dead, but also includes any other passionate lamenting; grief so all-encompassing that it cannot be hidden. This word … is used for mourning in Matthew 5:4 (James Strong). (A mourning), perhaps for their own sins and those of Israel, but also because (of the) wickedness (in) the world oppresses their spirits. -The Interpreter’s Bible-
Many times, we are not ready for the death of a loved one. Sometimes the pain seems to be so severe that we feel like we cannot bear it. Some people never get over the pain and suffering of losing a loved one. It was a shock when I was called and was told my sister-in-law was found dead in bed. It was a shock when I was called and was told my oldest brother died in his sleep. What made the shock even greater was that he was a man’s man. I had no reason to believe he had any problems with his health. After my oldest brother’s funeral, my mother told me it was even more painful for her to lose her son than it was when my father died. She said, “Son, no parent expects to experience the death of their children.”
What does it mean blessed are those who mourn? This beatitude can be understood as blessed as the man who has endured the most bitter pain that can come in life. The word for mourn in the Greek text is the strongest word for crying for the dead. It refers to a passionate lament for a person who was loved. It refers to a kind of profound pain that a man cannot hide.
Causes Of Human Sorrow
When Abraham’s wife died the Scriptures say, Abraham came to mourn for Sarah … and … weep for her (Genesis 23:2, WEB). Through his tears, Abraham released his grief. The people would not listen to the message God had given Jeremiah about Israel’s coming judgment. Because they did not listen, he grieved. Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a spring of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! (Jeremiah 9:1, WEB).
Jesus wept at Lazarus’ grave. He wept over the city of Jerusalem. Mary Magdalene wept because Jesus died. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is a time to weep… When the end times come, there will be sorrow and grief greater than the world has ever known (read Matthew 24:4-8).
“When (Jesus) came near, he saw the city and wept over it” (Luke 19:41). He knew the future destruction of the city of Jerusalem was to come. Jesus Christ has given His followers the responsibility to care about the pain and suffering of others.
Godly sorrow
How can we honestly say, Blessed, are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted? (1) One of the greatest days of my life occurred in 1952. It happened when the family attended a revival meeting. As the evangelist spoke, something happened within me, that I didn’t understand at first. I felt like a heavy burden had been placed upon my shoulders, and I couldn’t get rid of it. A conviction came within me that something very important was missing in my life. On that night in 1952, I realized that I hadn’t asked God to become a part of my life. After I confessed my sin to Him and invited Him to come into my life as my Lord and Savior, the burden on my shoulders was lifted. An indescribable peace and joy came into my life.
For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death (II Corinthians 7:10, WEB). (2) Godly sorrow begins with the poverty of spirit. In Romans3:23, the Apostle Paul tells us all have sinned… We fall short of the goal Christ has given us. Why? The goal is to become like Him, and nobody will become perfect as He is in this world. When we are convinced intellectually that we are spiritually bankrupt, we will respond by mourning which results in forgiveness.
How about sorrow for our sins? We should never take our sins lightly. When we sin, we damage our relationship with God. We separate ourselves from the love of God.
Pain can show us God’s comfort and compassion. The truth of the text is: Blessed are those who accept their pains with a determination to learn from their pains an offering to God. The comfort that is mentioned in the text does not come from our pains; it comes from God’s response to our pains. When pain comes in a person’s life, that person is taken to the deep things of life. David expresses this kind of pain: “Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving-kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me” (Psalm 51:1-3).
Blessed is the man who is desperately sad about his sin and his lack of merit. Christianity begins with a sense of sin. Some men are content with a poorly examined life. For them, sin is a trivial matter. One of the functions of the Cross is to open the eyes of men and women to the horror of sin. When we look at the Cross, we can have a better understanding of the price for sin. Sin can make the most loving life in the whole world and crush it on a cross.”
Blessed are they who are desperately sad about the pain and suffering of this world. This world would be a poorer place if there are no people who take deep care of the pains and sufferings of others. Blessed are those who willingly share in the pain of their neighbour. They might pretend that they are not experiencing any pain. But that does not mean their pain doesn’t exist. William Barclay said: “Blessed is the man who takes deep care for the sufferings and the pains and needs of others.”
God will never despise the broken and repentant heart. The Apostle Paul says: “For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10).” William Barclay said, “The way to the joy of forgiveness is through the desperate pain of the broken heart.” David said: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalms 51: 17).
Probably, Matthew 5:4 refers to the feeling of spiritual poverty. Joy is not the opposite of sorrow; it is sorrow and through sorrow. Joy is pain accepted out of love and repentance. Mourners enter the secret of life, and the others are forbidden to enter the door.
What is the result of weeping over sin? Those who express grief for their sins will receive comfort. Comfort lifts. The Apostle Paul said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (II Corinthians 1:3, WEB). Comfort through life. Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
“Blessed are those who mourn” because: They weep over sin and despise it. They see sin in the same way God sees it. They treat sin the way God treats it. They do not cover their sins. They confess their sins.
Are you sensitive to the sin that is in your life? The Apostle John says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us (our) sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
We must always remember that no one is beyond the possibility of becoming a child of God. There are people in this world who are yearning for a more meaningful life. They need somebody who will care enough about them and share the Good News of the Gospel. Even the worse of criminals who we may think are beyond hope have been born again.
TO LIVE AN ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIFE MEANS YOU MUST HAVE
A DAILY PERSONAL LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST
Contributor
By C. Paul Wooderson
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Email: walnutave1234@comcast.net
Website: cpaulwooderson.com
