“Who Are The Mourners”

Matthew 5: 1-4 (NIV)

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Introduction: Moses went up into his mountain alone, Jesus had a crowd of people with him. Moses gave the Law for the whole people, while Jesus’ teaching was addressed to the disciples and those committed to him as well as people considering following Jesus. He sat down, which is the normal posture for a teacher. Luke has four beatitudes (Luke 6:20–22), but they are quite different from those in this Gospel, and they are followed by four “Woes” for which Matthew has no parallel. Luke’s four beatitudes are in the second person, while Matthew has eight in the third person (second person in verse 11). Jesus used the “beatitude” approach on more than one occasion. Jesus will make great demands on those who followed Him, but these demands are to be understood in a context of grace. Last week we heard about The poor in spirit (serves as an umbrella in the sense of all the other beatitudes) because of humility. They recognize their lack of spiritual resources and their complete dependence on God. Those who are not poor in spirit can never have membership in the kingdom. Scriptural Text: The Greek word for mourn is used for mourning for the dead for the passionate lament for one who was loved it was used for Jacob’s grief when he believed Joseph his son was dead In Genesis 37: 34 it is defined as the kind of grief which takes such a hold that it cannot be hidden. It is not only the sorrow which brings an ache to the heart; it is the sorrow which brings unrestrainable tears to the eyes. However, here in this text is an amazing kind of bliss: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Who are the mourners? Those who are sorrowful for sin, sorrowful for society, and sorrowful for sufferings of others. We regard mourners as the most unfortunate of people. We see them as people to be pitied, helped, comforted, but not as those to be envied as the recipients of God’s blessing. And they are blessed, Jesus says, because they will be comforted. It is this that makes the reference to ordinary mourning as we know it so difficult. It is not easy to think that Jesus is speaking of those who have suffered bereavement, for example, and saying that they are not really in an unhappy situation because one day they will be consoled. Sorrow can do two things for us it can show us as nothing else candy at the essential kindness of others it can show us there's nothing else can the comfort and the compassion of God so many people in the hour of their grief and sorrow have discover other people and God as never before when things go well it is possible to live for years on the surface of things but when sorrow comes we are driven to the deep things of life and if we accept it all right a new strength and beauty will enter into our souls some people have taken this be attitude to me blessed are those who are desperately sorry for the sorrow and the suffering of this world and when we are thinking of this we saw that it is always right to detach from things but it is never right to detach from people this world would have been a very much poorer place if there had not been those who cared intensely about the sorrow and the suffering of others. Blessed are those who are sorry for their own sin in their own unworthiness. we cannot repent unless we are sorry for our sins, which is what the cross does for us as we look at the cross. According to Matthew, Jesus is referring to more fundamental kind of mourning. Keeping in mind that typically the world takes a lighthearted attitude to the serious issues of life. This is very evident in our modern pleasure-loving generation. In their seeking self-gratification and pleasure people do not grieve over sin or evil. Because they do not grieve over what is wrong in themselves, they do not repent; and because they do not grieve over the wrong; they make little effort to set things right. Because they are not moved by the plight of the poor and the suffering, they make no move to help the world’s unfortunates and those who are marginalized. It may be that Jesus is saying that our values are wrong and that it is those who mourn in the face of the evils, to those who stand up, speak up advocate for the injustices, and willing to put their bodies on the line, those who mourn over the way God’s cause is so often neglected and his people despised, they are the truly blessed ones. Conclusion: The Psalmist could say: “My eyes shed streams of tears, because men do not keep thy law” (Ps. 119:136). The mourners are those who are sorrowful for sin, sorrowful for society, and sorrowful for the sufferings of others. It is to those that Jesus holds out the prospect of ultimate consolation. Now they mourn; but now is not always. Tell your neighbor you may be mourning now, but NOW is not always! The Israelites mourned because of oppression and disobedience, Rahab, Peter, and Paul mourned, Dr. King mourned for the nation, Fannie Lou Hammer mourned, Ida B. Wells mourned, Fredrick Douglas mourned, Bishop William Barber mourned for the suffering of society, Rev. Johnathan Wilson-Hargrove mourned, Pastor Owens mourned but NOW is not always. Jesus was acquainted with sorrow. The spirit of the Lord was upon Him to preach good news to the poor. Shout glory! The Lord reigns! God’s ultimate triumph, and with it the comforting of those who have grieved over evil, is sure. Trouble in my way I have to cry some time, but that’s all right I know Jesus will fix it after while. It is sure. The promise is mourning will change, your right now is not always! It is sure we are comforted. Mourning guarantees us help through the holy spirit whatever the cost. Mourning assures us of God’s omnipresent. He will never leave you or forsake you. This is the comfort of those who know God will take care of you. Rev. Walter Stillman Martin, a Baptist evangelist, was invited to preach at a church some distance from the Bible school. Sunday morning, his wife became suddenly ill, making it impossible for her to travel him. He considered cancelling his speaking assignment, since he was going to be gone from her for a considerable time. Just then, their young son spoke up and said, ‘Father, don’t you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away?’” Walter Martin preached that Sunday and returned that evening to find his wife much improved. In fact, while he had been gone, she prepared a new text that was inspired by their son’s statement. He wrote the music to his wife’s text. Civilla Martin describes the composition: “’God will take care of you’. So, church you may be mourning now, but NOW is not always! Be not dismayed whate’er betide; God will take care of you. Beneath His wings of love abide; God will take care of you through every day, all the way. He will take care of you; through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you. When dangers fierce your path assail. All you may need He will provide; God will take care of you. All strength you need will be supplies; No matter what the test may be, God will take care of you. Lean, weary one, upon His breast; God will take care of you. Your right now is not always! You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When you are poor in spirit and sorrowful for the suffering You can witness and speak truth to power with a new tongue. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. When you are poor in spirit, mourn and sorrowful for sin the Holy Spirit will cause you to be bold and preached like Peter, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Your right now is not always! God will take care of you. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Your right now is not always! God will, Yes, He will, take care of you. Bless are those who hearts are broken for the world’s suffering and for their own sin, for out of their sorrow they will find the joy of the Lord! There's beauty in my brokenness, I've got true love instead of pain There's freedom though you've captured me, I've got joy, joy instead of mourning God will give you joy Down deep in your soul. My right now, it is not always! Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.