Jesus_is_LORD
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WORD OF THE DAY (— Matthew 5:4 )
" Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted "
MEDITATE ON THIS ( True comfort begins with acknowledging your sins )
Greetings,
This week we continue our series on the part of the Sermon on the Mount called the be-attitudes.
In the be-attitudes, Jesus draws a stark contrast between what the people believed holy living and
genuine happiness to be, with what it really was. Last week we looked at the blessedness of being poor in spirit,
which is a prerequisite for acknowledging our need for God; this week, we look at the second point in the
be-attitudes which relates to the comfort that only God can give.
In our world, it is the norm to want to feel that we have it all together.
Mourning is something that often is perceived as a sign of weakness in our world. However, in describing
the path to supreme happiness, Jesus stated, "Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Though this mourning can and does relate to the mourning of a loved one who has passed away,
we can gain a clearer understanding of what Jesus is saying by looking deeper. The Greek word used
for mourning is penthountes. It is defined as mourning, lament, and guilt, derived from the Greek word
penthos; meaning to grieve. Beloved, the grief or guilt related to blessedness, is the guilt or grieve of our
sins. Many are unaware of the weight of their sins and how it separates them from God. In our world,
society takes pride in their sins, there seems to be no shame and certainly no mourning for the grief
we have caused God.
However, we cannot receive the blessedness that comes from forgiveness until we are moved to mourn
and feel the guilt of our sins. Elliot's commentary states, "The "mourning" is not the sorrow of the world that
worketh "death" (2Corinthians 7:10) for failure, suffering, and the consequences of sin, but the sorrow which
flows out in the tears that cleanse, the mourning over sin itself and the stain which it has left upon the soul."
It is in this mourning that we find comfort. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus told His disciples that He would
send them another comforter. The coming of the Holy Spirit, which allowed for the forgiveness of our sins,
was only possible after the shedding of Christ's blood. This Spirit feels welcome to dwell and make a home
in the hearts that have acknowledged their sins; in these hearts, the Holy Spirit will dwell. For blessed are
those who mourn, for these shall be comforted.
Your brother in Christ,
WNL
Thought for the week:
Next week we examine the 3rd be-attitude: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.
Prayer for the week:
Dear God, in a world in which we think we are ok, I know that Lord I'm not. I've
stained my soul with sin and I know you can clean every spot. Lord I mourn for
I've broken your law; Lord I mourn because I've neglected your call. Only in mourning
can I be made whole, Lord I await your comfort, thanks for making me whole.
