Blessed Are They That Mourn

 

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

    From The Topical Lexicon:

The verb appears ten times in the Greek New Testament and consistently depicts profound sorrow that is either godly—aligned with repentance and dependence on The Lord—or worldly, lamenting the loss of earthly pleasure and prosperity. 

    In Genesis 37:34 Jacob mourned the loss of his son Joseph. Here the word mourn is associated with a visible display of personal bereavement (grief, sorrow, sadness, trauma, deprived of someone's presence). It is a heartfelt, vocal state of being. 

    He tore his clothes. He put on sackcloth, a coarse, uncomfortable fabric usually used for bags and sacks that held grains. He mourned: he lamented, bewailed. His cries of pain, suffering, and loss were impossible to ignore and yet he could not be silenced. Cries of irreparable grief at the suddenness of this calamity on his son filled the air. His heart was broken and his plans for his son were shattered into nothing. 

    This is the state of mourning in a seeker's heart when they come to God through the cross of Christ. We recognize that we are unholy, unrighteous, unable to save ourselves. We throw ourselves on The Rock, begging God to forgive us. The stained garment of flesh which clothes us is inappropriate to wear in His holy presence. We need Jesus to cover us with Himself. And He can only do so when we ask Him into our hearts and give Him the reins of our lives. 

    This mourning, this lamenting, over the ruination of our souls brings us to Jesus on the cross, Jesus in the tomb, and Jesus in the garden. It is in the cross we are saved. In the tomb we are conquerors over death. In the garden we are clothed with resurrected bodies, we are covered with grace and salvation. 

    In such a state of mourning God does not leave His flock. He sends us His Comforter to teach us how to be His holy people. To teach us what it means to live a righteous life; to live the fruit of The Spirit. [Galatians 5:22,23]. To fill us with power to witness of God's saving grace through Jesus Christ that we may carry the message of this blessed Hope to all nations. [Acts 1:8; 2:1-4]. 

    The Lord God comforts us in times of sorrow and grief. He fills us with His Hope, His Peace, His Joy, His Love, His Presence. Through His Holy Spirit God fills us with more of Himself, taking away the darkness of loss and replacing it with The Light of His Love. 

    And, not wanting to see anyone perish in their ruination, we speak The Truth, proclaiming to all who hear, that Jesus Christ is Lord. Come to Jesus. And Live. 

Blessed Are They That Mourn

 

    Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 3996

MOURN: properly, grieve over a death; (figuratively) to grieve over a personal hope (relationship) that dies, i.e. comes to divine closure ("ends"). ("Mourn over a death") refers to "manifested grief" so severe it takes possession of a person and cannot be hid.

   In John 16:16-33 Jesus is speaking to His disciples regarding His imminent death, resurrection, ascension, and return. Which, of course, they understood none of. 

    Many would rejoice over Christ's murder. For murder it was. He was too controversial to be allowed to live, so the local religious higher-ups conspired to kill Him. Matthew 26:2-3. 

    Then His disciples, His followers, would be mourning their loss while they who had conspired to kill Jesus would be rejoicing in His death, believing their problems to be over. 

    Upon Christ's resurrection, the disciples would rejoice; the murderers and they that condoned the mock trial and crucifixion would fear. When Christ left Earth to return to His Father, the disciples again rejoiced. 

    The Jewish religious leaders spread lies about Jesus while the disciples spread the Truth. As it was then so it is today. 

    For nearly 2000 years the faithful followers of Christ have preached the return of the King of Kings. The closer the time for His return the louder the earth groans and the world endeavors to destroy those who speak the Truth of the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ. 

    We read in Revelation that when the two witnesses are killed, the people partied for three days. But then. Revelation 11:1-14. 

    When all is said and done as The Word has revealed it to us, they who came against God and His Son and His people will be no more. The world will no longer exist and a new earth will take its place. Revelation 21. 

    Until that time happens we who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior will continue to proclaim the Good, Good News. Come to Jesus. Come and be filled with The Bread of Life. Come and quench your thirst with the Living Water. Come and be empowered with The Holy Spirit, for The Spirit calls to you, too. Come and be loved by God. 

    Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

LEARNING TO BE LOVED BY YOU