Those Who Mourn

THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER

What a Scene:

On Mount Sinai the immortal, invisible, the only wise God, came down.

Dark clouds covered the mountain, fire and lightnings.

Moses trembled as he drew near to God.

Israel kept at a distance at the base of the mountain; they didn’t want to hear God’s voice.

What a Contrast:

In Matthew 5: God incarnate - Our Lord Jesus - goes up the mountain

The disciples draw near, and then crowds begin to gather.

Jesus sits down to teach and begins by speaking blessings, not condemnation.

What a sermon:

He preaches good news to the poor in Spirit, tenderly healing the broken hearted.

Setting free those who are held captive and in bondage to sin.

“This is the year of the Lord’s favour.” - Yes, the King has arrived!

What a Promise:

To those who mourn - YOU SHALL BE COMFORTED!

THOUGHTS TO GRASP

THE BLESSING - TO THOSE WHO MOURN!

The Bible talks about mourning in different ways…

General/natural Mourning

When we lose a loved one, a precious gift, our health or wealth - a general sorrow of life.

Mourning is a natural way we release toxins: anger, bitterness, sorrow and heartache.

Illustration: Linus gives Charlie Brown his blanket - “Happiness is a warm blanket”

Abraham wept over the loss of his wife.

David wept over loneliness.

Timothy wept with tears, feeling defeated and discouraged.

Jeremiah had tears of disappointment;

Paul had tears of concern, care, and anxiety.

Ungodly /Wordly Mourning

Pouting and wallowing in self-pity - not having what others have.

Ahab cried and was tormented over not having the poor man Naboth’s vineyard.

1 Kings 15v24: “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord”

Saul seems outwardly sorry, but his heart was unchanged - “I have sinned, yet honour me now before the elders of my people” (v30).

2 Samuel 13 - Ammon weeps because he cannot get to defile his sister sexually.

Mourners laughed in Jesus’ face at the house of Jairus.

PAUL: “…worldly grief produces death.”

We feel dead inside with this kind of mourning!

Spiritual / Godly mourning

The mourning that Jesus describes here in Matthew 5 is “spiritual godly mourning”.

It means to LAMENT and be consumed with grief in our relationship to God.

Illustration: Boy crying for his mother at Braehead Stores.

2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly mourning produces repentance that leads to eternal life.

It involves a godly sorrow over sin; our own and others!

Remember Ezekiel who wept and sighed over the sins of the nation of Israel.

William Cowper: “I hate the sins that make thee mourn!”

Oh to start again, wash me clean, make me holy, renew me and revive me!”

Have you a longing in your heart to be right with God, washed clean of all your sins?

Paul: “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death?”

We mourn for our glorified bodies, when we will be pure and spotless like Christ.

We mourn for our nation of Scotland, once a Land of Revival.

Paul writes that the earth mourns for its new glorified body - the new heavens & earth!

THE PROMISE - THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED

In The Present

COMFORT (with strength) - I will put my strength in you. I will be your strength.

God will be our shield, our refuge, our fortress, our strong tower.

Come all who are weary, all who have sinned, all who are weak - I will pour strength.

In The Future

Jesus promises the “Comforter” after He ascends - He will strengthen you with power!

Is.57: Restore comfort to mourners, bringing peace and healing.

Jer.31: Turn mourning into gladness, comfort & joy in place of sorrow.

Rev 7 & 21: no more Death, mourning, crying or pain. Every tear wiped!

THOUGHTS TO PONDER

The World:

Blessed are those who have personality, position, power, possessions.

The Kingdom:

Blessed are the poor in Spirit, the broken, the hurting, THOSE WHO MOURN.

Response:

Come to Christ “the Man of Sorrows” who is acquainted with grief.