A Study in the Beatitudes: Exuding Christ's Character (Part 2-mourn)

Matthew 5:4

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

Mourn (Pentheo): to grieve, to wail, to lament (referring to death, loss, or sin throughout the Bible)

Comforted (Parakaleo): to call to one's side, to encourage, to strengthen, to instruct

*Greek word in parenthesis

“The Greek word for to mourn, used here, is the strongest word for mourning in the Greek language. It is the word which is used for mourning for the dead, for the passionate lament for one who was loved.” (Barclay)

MOURNING

Whatever it is we mourn, according to the Word of God, we know it's a result of living in a fallen, broken world. When Adam and Eve sinned, choosing a lie over God's perfect plan, God's perfect creation began to break down and decay. Since the fall of Adam, every human being has been born with a sinful nature and sin's effects have been present in this world, but Jesus isn't only teaching about comfort for our mourning related to earthly matters, he is teaching about something much deeper.

The bible actually describes our state, outside of Christ, as "dead in our sin." (Ephesians 2:1,5)

Jesus used the strongest Greek word "Pentheo", associated with death because that is exactly what we are without Him, spiritually dead.

2 Corinthians 7:10

"For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."

Godly grief is grief over spiritual matters, grief over our sin, the devastating effects of sin, and our separation from the Creator. It is a grief that leads us to our greatest comfort, salvation through Jesus Christ. We receive salvation from our slavery to sin and from eternal damnation. Godly grief leads us to repentance.

When we grieve our sin, turn to Jesus in faith, and believe that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we are forgiven and our relationship with our Creator is restored. We have access to God the Father through prayer and Jesus intercedes on our behalf day and night. We are given the Holy Spirit, who works in our hearts to produce Godly character, continually points us to truth, convicts us, and comforts us.

Jesus taught us that, to mourn spiritual death due that is result of our sinful nature, is to mourn the greatest loss, and to turn to Him for our deepest need, is to gain the greatest comfort.

COMFORT

At the beginning of Jesus' ministry here on earth, He reads this passage of scripture from the Old Testament about Himself:

Isaiah 61:1-3

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. "

Oil (Shemen) means ointment

Garment (Maateh) wrap or mantel

Praise (Tehillah) song or hymn of praise

*Greek words in parenthesis

God's rescue plan for all mankind was and still is Jesus Christ. Our greatest Comfort suffered so we could have eternal life. He is the very source from which all life-giving comfort flows. He is the One who has the power to comfort, bind brokenness, give liberty, pour His healing ointment of gladness into our lives and wrap us in song. He does this so we would be like trees of righteousness that glorify our Creator's handiwork, trees that flourish even when the storms of life threaten to break us, and trees whose roots go down deep into our Savior's love.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

When I think about suffering, and things we mourn, countless circumstances in this present world come to mind:

• People grieving the death of loved ones caused by genocide, persecution, terrorism, murder, sickness, and disease-

• People lamenting the devastating effects of addictions, sex trafficking, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse-

• People mourning the disappointment from things they cherished and placed their faith in such as politics, finances, men's accolades, and recognition, sports teams, possessions, physical fitness and beauty, and the list goes on-

Jesus promised us that in our suffering and affliction here on earth, his comfort will be abundant. He doesn't comfort us only by saving us from eternal damnation and slavery to sin, which is certainly above and beyond what we deserve, but He is with us, loves us, and will never leave us. He wraps us in His comforting arms, now.

He comforts us and uses us to comfort others. As followers of Christ, we can comfort and walk with people who are mourning. We can encourage them and ultimately point them to the God of all comfort.

We can exude Christ's character by caring for those who are mourning and weeping with those who weep,

and we can rejoice with those who mourn their sin and turn to Jesus, the one who has the power to forgive, restore, and is the Way to eternal life and comfort.

Blessings,

Amy