Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Why do we mourn? Knowing when we mourn may be easier to identify than why we mourn. We mourn when we experience loss. If you are human and living life on earth, you have experienced the loss of a loved one; you have experienced the loss of hope; you have experienced the loss of trust; you have experienced the loss of dreams; you have experienced loss.
Though this list is not exhaustive, these are times that we mourn. These are times that we lament.
Finding the answer as to why we mourn can be found in the answer to the question, “why are those who mourn blessed?”
Scholars believe that the mourning that Jesus to which refers relates to the mourning that takes place in those who rightly view this world. Those who rightly view this world see the brokenness of this world and the sin that entangles and poisons souls, and they mourn. They see the sickness of sin that inhibits proper interaction between loved ones, and they mourn. They look at the brokenness and sin inside of themselves that prevents them from loving themself, God, and others well, and they and mourn.
It will go well with those that mourn for these things. How and why would it go well for those who mourn the sin of this world and the way it destroys bodies, souls, relationships, and beauty? It will go well with them because they will be comforted.
Scholars add that the mourning that Jesus refers to in the sermon on the mount applies to a more general application of mourning as the comfort He offers holds more general application. Meaning, blessed are those who mourn for losing a loved one, a safe place, a friendship, or a dream, for they shall be comforted.
I submit that the general application of mourning and the mourning of sin in this world are closely linked. Why do we lose loved ones? Why do other people disappoint and hurt us? Why do dreams awaken our hearts to hope and possibility only to come to nothing? Answer: there is sin in this world.
In looking at this portion of the sermon on the mount, we must ask these two questions:
Am I mourning?
Where do I go for comfort?
If we ignore our need to mourn, we may forfeit our opportunity for a comfort that allows it to go well with us. If we ignore our need to mourn, we may be guilty of not looking on this world rightly. We do not mourn things that we care nothing about. Mourning is the testimony of love. Just look at the number of tears shed for a well-loved person.
This world does not mourn for sin in the same way that a believer does. The soul of an unbeliever may cry “foul” when someone they love dies, but how much more should a believer mourn as they know that apart from Christ, sin steals the eternity of every human? How much more should the believer mourn when physical sickness ravages bodies and steals their ability to move? How much more should we mourn?
Great mourning calls for great comfort. Be careful to answer the second question well: “where do I go for comfort?” If we attempt to use created things to self-medicate our grief, then we have bypassed the source of true comfort: the Holy Spirit.
It goes well for those who mourn sin and experience His comfort.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to recognize that you need to mourn. Perhaps you have hidden your grief long enough. Maybe God wants you to talk to a friend or counselor. Perhaps you have used created things to comfort or hide your mourning. Maybe today you need to stop trying to use sin to comfort the mourning of sin.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 97, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 5:3–9) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).