The Sermon of the Mount SeriesSample

Part 3 – Another Strange Blessing – Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

The miracle-Worker sat down on top of a rock. The large crowd that followed Him slowly approached, breathless, happy to sit down after climbing the mountain.

The surrounding sounds did not match the size of the crowd. There was a reverent silence as this Man, Jesus – who had spoken in parables thus far, confronted Israel's leaders and performed never-before-seen miracles – began to teach.

As Messiah started His longest sermon recorded in Scriptures, the first words spoke of comfort, and yet, their meaning must have been strange and puzzling to some.

In the second part of this series, we dove into the deep meaning of Jesus' first beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."

As He continues, Jesus talks about a concept that would have reminded His followers of the words of prophets of old like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah:

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

The Greek word for "blessed" here, Makarios, is translated as "happy" and was used in pagan Greek literature to describe the state of happiness and well-being that the gods enjoy. But in the beatitudes, Makarios is given a rich spiritual content, containing a congratulatory concept, as a note in Weymouth's New Testament suggests:

"People who are blessed may outwardly be much to be pitied, but from the higher and therefore truer standpoint, they are to be envied, congratulated and imitated."

Therefore, Jesus' concept of happiness, as expressed in the Beatitudes, transcends those things that make us smile and laugh. Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, invites His followers to experience the joy found by obeying the Father.

Two concepts of mourning need to be addressed to understand this beatitude:

The first one intrinsically relates to the first beatitude: "Blessed are the poor in spirit (...)."

In this instance, mourners are those who, unlike the Pharisees, realize their unrighteousness, mourn for their sins, and express their mourning by repenting.

"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away." Isaiah 64:6

And again, as Paul quotes Psalm 14 and 53:

As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;" Romans 3:10

These "blessed" mourners are Jesus' followers who, realizing that their sin grieves the Father's heart, repent and turn from them. These mourners will find the happiness of being comforted by Yahweh's boundless forgiveness and grace.

Furthermore, these mourners mourn for the sins of others.

They have a zeal for the lost and for sharing the Good News of salvation with the dying world.

I am so thankful for these types of mourners. They are like my youngest aunt, who, being the first person in my family who became a born-again believer, cried out to God for my salvation for many years. She was comforted as God's grace reached down, drawing me to repentance and salvation almost a decade later.

Are you that type of mourner?

Do you mourn for those in your family and friend circle who are lost? Do you weep before the Father, fully realizing your loved one's eternal destiny if they die without Christ?

I confess that I do not mourn enough. Not as deeply as I should, anyway.

Jesus' words convict and remind me that He still answers prayers for the salvation of others. Yes, He is faithful to comfort those types of mourners.

Just as He comforted me when I came to the cross, repentant and filled me with the joy of His presence.

Or as He comforted me by saving my mom after seven years of prayers… and when my dad accepted Christ soon after that.

Or as He comforted me when my brother prayed to receive Christ during a devotional time with me in 1999... and when my best friend prayed to accept Jesus as her Savior over the phone on December 22, 2002 – my Christmas gift that year.

Those who mourn for the lost will be comforted - and blessed!

The other concept of mourning implied in this beatitude is the promise of comfort for those faithful believers who suffer in this present age, nevertheless remaining faithful to the Father.

These are the steadfast believers who go through the sorrows of life with unwavering faith.

The cancer patient whose doctor shakes his head when all human resources for cure are exhausted and whose soul can soar above the bad report to sing: It is well with my soul!

The father who loses his job, draws the last unemployment check and still believes: Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, will come through!

Those mourners, who keep their eyes anchored on the Rock of Ages, will be comforted by the One who sat upon the Mount that day.

What a blessed promise! What a challenge to my heart today!

Yes, Mourn for your sins! Mourn for the lost! Mourn for your pain!

Jesus, the Grace Giver, promises to pour comfort and supernatural joy upon your weary soul.

Question: Who are the people you know who need to receive salvation? Will you say a prayer as one who mourns for their spiritual condition, pleading with the Father to save them?