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Throughout this summer we’re considering together certain key words from God’s written word, the Bible, and today I want us to turn our attention to the word ‘mourn’.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4, ESV

I. __________ is Jesus speaking of?

Sorrow comes in all different shapes and sizes, and that reality raises the question as to what sort of sorrow is being referred to in our text this morning?

The key to understanding the identity of those whom Jesus is speaking of here is to recognize that this verse follows naturally from the one that precedes it.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3, ESV

Those here described by our Lord as being "poor in spirit" are really those that acknowledge their spiritual poverty before God.

The mourners in our text this morning are those that recognize the debt of their sins and their complete dependency upon God for deliverance from that debt, and then express genuine grief and sorrow for their sins.

Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God.… Ezra 10:1, ESV

“Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" Isaiah 6:5, ESV

“The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ Luke 18:13, ESV

He went out and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75, ESV

II. __________ is Jesus saying about such mourners?

Jesus says that blessing comes through sorrow, specifically, sorrow for our sin. But how?

The word "blessed" used at the beginning of our verse refers to an inner peace and joy, inner contentment and well-being, that we all long for as human beings but that so often eludes us.

III. __________ does Jesus promise such mourners blessing?

When you and I recognize our spiritual poverty before God and mourn the fact that our sin is an affront to his holiness, he extends to us the comfort of his forgiveness.

The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23, ESV

Sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14, ESV

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4, ESV

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity.… Psalm 32:1-2, ESV

Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret.... 2 Corinthians 7:10, ESV

Do you personally know the blessing that Jesus speaks of in our text today?

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:8-10, ESV