Everyone likes to laugh. It’s contagious. Jerry Lewis once said, “The people of the world who have the ability to laugh at themselves are those who survive.” The Bible says, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
The world’s philosophy is: “Smile, smile, smile!” But Jesus says, “Mourn, mourn, mourn.”
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
What is Jesus telling us in this second beatitude?
What is Jesus saying?
1. God cares about our sorrow. He really does. He notices when we hurt.
2. Sorrow is okay (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4). God created humans to cry. Mourning is an expression of love for others.
3. It is important to sorrow. Abraham wept when his wife died (Gen. 23:2). David wept over his loneliness (Ps. 42:2-3. Timothy wept of discouragement (2 Tim. 1:3-4). Jeremiah wept as he preached (Jer. 9:1). Paul wept as he taught (Acts 20:31). A father wept over his son (Mark 9:23-24). A woman wept tears of devotion (Luke 7:37-38).
4. Most mourning will not go on forever. Time does heal our emotional wounds.
5. The kingdom of God is opposite the kingdom of the world. People deliberately turn from anything unpleasant, determined to fill their lives with those things which divert their minds from anything serious. Even Christians make ‘fun’ a high priority. We think it a reaction against hypocritical seriousness of some. We think that if we are to attract non-Christians, we must be happy. But this shows we do not understand sin nor Christian joy.
What kind of mourning is Jesus talking about?
1. He’s not primarily talking about a natural sorrow. It is true that atural sorrow can bring comfort. It will teaches us to appreciate good things. It increases our sensitivity to others, especially their needs. It teaches us to be better people. Sorrow and grief reinforces the fact that this life is not all there is. And sometimes it drives a person to God.
The Greek word Jesus used for ‘mourn’ is the strongest of the 9 words used for grief. It is the morning of someone who has died – a deep, inner agony you can’t hide. It is definitely associated with the first beatitude – “Blessed are the poor in spirit”. Just as the first beatitude spoke of spiritual poverty, this speaks of spiritual mourning. It is sorrow over sin. Blessed are they that mourn over sin, for they shall be comforted.
2. Jesus is talking about a sorrow over sin. It is an emotional reaction to the 1st beatitude. When a person sees his spiritual poverty, he can react in one of four ways: 1) deny it. 2) admit it and try to change. 3) admit it and give up. 4) admit it and turn to God. Many people know they are sinners, yet never mourn over that fact (Zech. 12:10).
How will a mourning over sin bring comfort?
1. Your sins will be forgiven. There is great comfort in knowing that Jesus forgives all sin.
2. You will be given power to overcome those sins. God’s Spirit will help you battle the temptations that entice you into wrong. You can live a life of less sorrow.
3. You will eventually live in Heaven, where there will be no sin, and every tear will be wiped away. Eternal comfort!
Do you experience sorrow over your sin or do you just try to hide it. Only those who admit theirs sins and seek Jesus will find inner peace and comfort.
You can read my other Sermon on the Mount articles: Life Redefined: Sermons from The Sermon on the Mount.
You can read more about the Beatitudes in my other article: Blessed are the Humble. You can also read about mourning and grief: 6 Ideas to Cope with Grief and Loss, 5 Keys to Good Grief, 3 Thoughts at the Death of a Loved One.
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