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The Beatitudes: Those who mourn


Those who Mourn

A sorrow which bring us to God,
A sorrow without regret



In Matthew chapter five (5), we are introduced to the Beatitudes which the Lord Jesus uses to open the famous Sermon on the Mount. These short sayings form a series of paradoxes (or notions expressed in an almost contradictory manner). The thoughts spoken by the Master in these blessed sayings run completely against to what we commonly would expect. Because the sayings are paradoxes, we must understand that the point of view from which Jesus begins is a spiritual point of view, certainly not a material, or physical one. Let’s not dismiss the brevity of these sayings, but rather consider the message of Jesus Christ as he spoke in these blessed sayings, or epigrams.  We continue our study by looking at the second beatitude which the Teacher Jesus Christ spoke in the famous Sermon on the Mount.

“Blessed are those who mourn” —Matthew 5:4

Again we begin by asking ourselves, did Christ refer to those who mourn because a loved one has died, or because of a painful illness? Generally, almost always, we give condolences to and try to comfort those who suffer pain because of the loss of a loved one, or who suffer from some illness. We consider it absurd to think that Jesus Christ might be referring to those who mourn the death of a loved one or those who suffer physically. He himself felt sad and even wept when his friend Lazarus died. Read John 11:33-35: “Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. … Jesus wept.” — But as we said in the previous article, Jesus Christ was speaking from the spiritual point of view and not from the physical.

The Teacher refers to those who mourn or feel pain in their hearts because of having sinned. It is lamentable, but there are many people in this world who do not mouorn or feel pain, who do not lament because they are sinning against God, who on the contrary delight in their vices, in their drunkenness, in drugs and in all kinds of evil. Such people are not blessed; they will not receive comfort, but rather eternal punishment for their disobedience to God. Let us read II Peter 2:9-10: “Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed; they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.

But those who do receive comfort are those who after having sinned and having been far away from God, recognize that they have sinned, and mourn or lament because they have offended God. The apostle Paul said, “For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” – II Corinthians 7:10. Then, let us note what James tells us: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” – James 4:8-10. (Emphasis mine).

Let us continue with the example of the apostle Peter who, after having denied that he knew the Lord Jesus, “wept bitterly.” – Luke 22:60-62. Let us be like the first Jews who obeyed the gospel in Jerusalem, who “were cut to the heart“, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” -Acts 2:37. Their question was a response to a sermon preached by the apostle Peter: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” – Acts 2:36.

Therefore, if we want to be blessed in God’s eyes, we must mourn and weep in our hearts, because we have offended God our Creator. We must repent and obey the gospel of Christ, and so we will be comforted for obtaining the pardon of our sins. We invite you to begin by attending the meetings of the church to hear the Word of God. You will be blessed, and you will receive comfort. The King David said, “This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.” Psalm 119:50.

— Roberto V. Spencer

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