This Side Of HeavenSample

Good Mourning

There are a few reasons contributing to why we mourn. Usually, mourning occurs when we lose someone or something important. Jesus mourned and wept at the death of His friend Lazarus (Jn 11:33-36). This is a natural type of mourning. Another type of mourning occurs when we long for something we lust. This is a worldly grief that produces death (2 Cor 7:10), as the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Jesus was not talking about these types of mourning in the beatitudes. 

The third type of mourning, that which is found in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” is a mourning that occurs when we realize the weight of sin. This is a godly grief that produces a repentance that leads to salvation in Jesus (2 Cor 7:10). In fact, even though Jesus knew no sin and did not sin, He mourned for our sins (Isa 53:3-6). In the same way, we are to mourn for our sin and the sins of the world knowing that we find comfort (2 Cor 7:13) by the One who bore our sins and infirmities (Isa 53:4). 

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for another day where I can come to know you deeper. Thank you for becoming sin even though You knew no sin, taking my place on the cross. I know that I merit death, but by Your saving grace, I am forgiven and washed clean, being able to have a vivid relationship with You. I declare in faith that I will step into Your righteousness as a saint and live powerfully by Your Spirit. Amen.