The meaning of Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted".

by A Mac

At the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is teaching a series of statements often referred to as the Beatitudes. Each starts with the words "blessed are." Blessing, in this sense, refers to a declaration of what is good and why. It does not mean that the blessed person will feel happy, necessarily.

The difference between happiness and being "blessed" is especially obvious in this verse. This beatitude states that those who mourn are blessed. Those who mourn, by definition, are not happy. Jesus wants His followers to understand that those who experience mourning are not hopeless.

Within the context of Jesus' teaching about the coming kingdom of heaven, those who mourn may do so because of their own sin or because of the sin of Israel. The Jewish people experience a state of mourning under the harsh oppression and occupation of Rome. Those faithful to God and Scripture understood this to be a result of Israel's sin and unfaithfulness, since God had promised to prosper them when they were faithful and to judge them when they were not.

Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached that Israel must repent. Repentance involves sadness as we recognize and confess our sinful selfishness. Those who mourn while repenting of their sin are blessed, however, because the kingdom of heaven will come; they will be rescued. The season of judgment will end.

Not all commentators agree that Jesus is referring only to mourning that comes with repentance from sin. Much sadness in life, of course, is not the result of sin. It comes from living on a planet ruled by death. Of all who mourn, those in Christ are blessed because they will be comforted by God in the here and now (2 Corinthians 1:3–7) and free from mourning for eternity (Revelation 21:4).

Expanding on the Beatitudes and Mourning

The Nature of Mourning

Mourning, as described in the Beatitudes, is a multifaceted experience. It encompasses not only personal grief over loss but also a broader lamentation over the brokenness of the world. This includes the suffering caused by injustice, poverty, and the pervasive presence of sin. Mourning, therefore, is both an individual and communal experience, reflecting a deep yearning for God's intervention and the restoration of creation.

Mourning and the Prophetic Tradition

The concept of mourning is deeply rooted in the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah often called the people of Israel to mourn for their sins and the resulting consequences. Isaiah 61:1-3 speaks of the Messiah bringing comfort to those who mourn, promising beauty for ashes and joy for mourning. This prophetic vision finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who embodies the hope and comfort promised to those who grieve.

The Role of Lament in Spiritual Life

Lament is an essential aspect of spiritual life, providing a means to express sorrow and seek God's presence in times of distress. The Psalms are filled with laments, offering a model for how to bring our pain and questions before God. Lament allows believers to be honest about their struggles while affirming their trust in God's goodness and sovereignty.

Comfort in the Present and Future

The comfort promised to those who mourn is both a present reality and a future hope. In the present, believers experience God's comfort through the Holy Spirit, who provides peace and strength in times of trouble. This comfort is also mediated through the community of faith, as believers support and encourage one another.

Looking to the future, the promise of comfort is ultimately fulfilled in the eschatological hope of the new creation. Revelation 21:4 envisions a time when God will wipe away every tear, and mourning will be no more. This future hope sustains believers in their present suffering, reminding them that their grief is temporary and that God's redemption is certain.

Mourning and the Mission of the Church

The beatitude of mourning has significant implications for the mission of the church. As the body of Christ, the church is called to be a source of comfort and healing in a hurting world. This involves not only providing emotional and spiritual support but also addressing the systemic causes of suffering and injustice.

The church is called to mourn with those who mourn, standing in solidarity with the oppressed and marginalized. This requires a commitment to justice and compassion, reflecting the heart of God for those who suffer. By embodying the values of the kingdom, the church becomes a beacon of hope and a foretaste of the coming redemption.

Personal Reflection and Application

For individual believers, the beatitude of mourning invites a deeper engagement with their own grief and the suffering of others. It calls for a willingness to enter into the pain of the world, trusting in God's promise of comfort and redemption.

Practically, this may involve:

  1. Cultivating Empathy: Developing a greater sensitivity to the pain of others and a willingness to share in their burdens.

  2. Engaging in Lament: Incorporating lament into personal and communal prayer, creating space to express sorrow and seek God's presence.

  3. Pursuing Justice: Actively working to address the causes of suffering and injustice, advocating for those who are marginalized and oppressed.

  4. Offering Comfort: Being present for those who are grieving, providing practical support and a listening ear.

  5. Holding onto Hope: Clinging to the promise of God's ultimate redemption, allowing it to sustain and inspire in times of sorrow.

Conclusion

The beatitude "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" offers a profound and hopeful message. It acknowledges the reality of suffering while pointing to the deeper spiritual truths of God's kingdom. In mourning, believers find a pathway to repentance, spiritual growth, and a deeper understanding of God's love and comfort. They are reminded that, in Christ, they are never alone in their sorrow and that a day is coming when mourning will be no more.

Here are five Bible passages and ideas to explore further:

  1. Isaiah 61:1-3 - Explore the prophetic promise of comfort and restoration for those who mourn.

  2. Psalm 34:18 - Consider how God is close to the brokenhearted.

  3. Romans 12:15 - Learn about the call to empathize with others in their joy and sorrow.

  4. 2 Corinthians 7:10 - Reflect on the difference between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow.

  5. Lamentations 3:22-24 - Study the hope and faithfulness of God in the midst of lament.

 

 

 

#Beatitudes #BlessedAreThoseWhoMourn #SermonOnTheMount #BiblicalComfort #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianFaith #MourningAndHope
#KingdomOfHeaven #JesusTeachings #FaithAndSorrow #DivineComfort #LamentAndHope #ChristianCommunity #GodsPromises
#EternalHope
Back to COMPELLING TRUTHS & RESOURCES