Archive for 5. April 2008

Blessed are they that Mourn

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Today, we are returning to our study on the book of Matthew.  Let’s do a quick review.  We talked about in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he goes upon a mountain and he begins teaching what has become known as the “sermon on the mount.”  He opens up with the beatitudes.  The beatitudes are a guide to what true happiness/blessedness is and gives the characterization of the citizens of the kingdom.  Our first beatitude was blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   The overall concept of poverty of spirit is the emptying of our own self righteousness or our own way of thinking and realizing that we are in total need and reliance of God.   

The next beatitude deals with the blessedness in mourning.  The word mourning here takes on what is known as a present participle form.  This means that it is not a one time event but a present continual experience.  Mourn means to lament, to wail, to grieve, to be sorry.  Because the word form represents a attitude or way of life and not a single experience, then it would be fair to ask what should we be mourning for, or why should we stay in a state of sorrow over something.    The context of this beatitude suggests that our mourning should be over our “sinful” state.  Our consciousness should be such that we are aware that we sin daily, both sins of omission and commission and we should constantly be sorrowful before God for our sins.   If we can continue to violate the principles of God’s word and feel no conviction, then something has gone wrong.  The scriptures teach that a person who mourns, who is sorry for their sins and genuinely seeks God for help and deliverance shall be comforted.   

The word comforted means to “call to one’s side, call for summon to address, to exhort, to encourage and strengthen, to provide instructions to admonish.  In other words, a person that has a sorrowful heart towards sin or “missing the mark” will be encouraged and strengthen by God.   God does not want us to live in condemnation.  We move on and keep going and if we have a sincere heart towards wanting to be right in his presence, GOD WILL HELP US. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Make it a great day and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.    

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