“Blessed are those who mourn.”  How?

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).  The blessing is not in the pain, burden or grief.  The blessing is in the comfort that mourners receive.

 There is much pain and grief in this life for which there is no relief.  Time has a way of diminishing the weight of the burden and the intensity of pain.  But that grief is never completely gone.  Jesus says mourners are “blessed.”  That means fortunate, in a good place, better off!  How are mourners better, blessed?

In this context Jesus is not talking about comfort for the injustice, loss, and hurt in this physical world.  Jesus is addressing our spiritual need.  The grief that offers blessedness is grief for sin.  We are better by mourning for sin.  Our regret, grief and pain for sin causes us to want to do better, be better, change, repent!  The pain we feel for our sin pushes us to God, to be reconciled.  When we approach God with our grief for sin He will forgive.  There is the comfort that belongs to those who mourn.  That comfort is complete, full, lasting.  Now I am in a better place than I’ve ever been!

Those who do not mourn for sin, do not go to God for relief.  In their careless, worldly happiness the see no need for comfort.  They remain in their sins and they are the worse for it.  If you are grieving over a failed life, one that is separated from God, you are blessed!  Go to God and be comforted!

Would you like to know what the Bible says about approaching God for the comfort of forgiveness?  Give me a call and we will study together.  212-729-8356