Sermon – Beatitude #2 – Mourn & Comfort

Last week, we started a series looking at the Beatitudes. Our verse was Matthew 5:3, which says, “the poor in spirit are blessed because theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Those who realize they are spiritually destitute; and in response to that turn to God – in repentance and having Jesus as Lord AND Savior – will receive the Kingdom of Heaven, now and in eternity.

This week, we will be looking at the 2^nd Beatitude, which is found in Matthew 5:4 (NLT), and says, “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
From our study last week, we know that the Greek word “makarios” can be translated as:
- Blessed (receiving God’s favor) … fortunate … good (in a position of favor) … happy (feelings associated with receiving God’s favor)
When God does anything for us, we should feel good or be positive or consider ourselves favored.
Who are blessed this time? The Greek word used here is “pentheo,” and can mean mourn … grieve … lament … be sad … to feel guilt … to bewail oneself (express great regret, disappointment, or bitterness over something)
We are told that these people will be comforted; and the Greek word “parakeleo” can also mean to ask … to beg … to plead … to encourage … to exhort … to urge … to call … to invite … to animate … to console … to be cheered
So, those who are “down” … mourning / grief / sad / lament / guilty / disappointed / regretful … will be taken up by being encouraged / invited / consoled / cheered / comforted.
In this world we face deterioration, disease, decay, destruction, and death … (I like alliteration).
Since the world fell into sin (Genesis 3) – sadness and pain have plagued creation; and it won’t be until everything is made new (bodies / heaven / earth) that things will eternity change.
Facing an illness is not a pleasant or easy time. Nobody wants or wishes for an illness. People want to be healthy and that can play a big role in our happiness; and can impact many things.
Comfort comes when treatments work; and a person gets better, stronger, and healthier … when the germs / virus / condition is defeated … when treatments end … when hospital and rehab stays are done … when pre-illness routines are the norm again … when we are “back to normal” that’s when we feel relief.
Comfort also comes when we have our Christian brothers and sisters praying for us … it also comes in knowing that God is in control no matter the outcome; and being His to use while we are undergoing treatments and tests and trials … even when we are faced with uncertainties, we can be sure of the One who created everything; and can still point others to Him … when our thinking goes from “why is this happening to me” to “what can I learn from this or do during this time.”
Facing a conflict with another person (or on a grand scale when people groups or nations don’t get along), that is not a pleasant or easy time.
When people are at odds – on any level – comfort comes when a peace is reached, be it by compromise; having the hope and trust that the other side has changed and won’t escalate things again; or simply by walking away.
In those issues, the comfort stays and grows the longer the peace is maintained or even the longer we stay away from the source of the discomfort.
Facing things that fall apart, break, or don’t work correctly can surely add to grief. When a major appliance breaks down … when the car won’t start or operate correctly … when repairs need to be made to the house or landscaping … all those things are quite aggravating.
Comfort in those situations comes from knowing that things can be repaired or replaced … from knowing you have the funds / insurance to help in the cost … having others to lean on to help with repairs or travel or research to get things done.
When the repairs have been made, we feel better; and perhaps are doing better and will have an easier time with an upgraded appliance; a safer vehicle; or having a home with an increased value.
Of course, the sadness, grief, and change in life that comes from the death of a loved one is the worst; and it takes the longest to be comforted. We’ve all experienced the loss of someone and as we continue living without that person (or people) it takes time to adjust; and on this earth we may never truly “get over” that loss; but we don’t have to be forever debilitated by it.
Customs and traditions vary by culture; but everyone has a way of dealing with the grieving process … funerals … hugs … paying our respects … giving our condolences to the family … viewing photos and videos … sharing stories … shedding tears … sending cards, flowers, windchimes, etc. … having a service … providing food … stopping our cars for people we don’t even know …
If we aren’t the ones directly impacted by a death, we leave the funeral and go back to life … others are left to pick up the pieces, day by day; and often have reminders a person is gone … birthdays … anniversaries … going through belongings … grief is a weird and fickle thing …
Comfort comes from friends and family to lean on … from prayers (again) … and if they were a Christian knowing they are being taken care of right now; and if you are one too, knowing that one day you’ll see each other again. That’s a major comfort … knowing that death is not the end; and as believers we should live in that comfort each day; and share that truth with everyone.
The original audience knew what it meant to be sad – to mourn – to weep … and to put on sackcloth and ashes … they knew what it was like to be faced with sin, oppression, and persecution … they and their ancestors faced it … they knew the stories and from first-hand experience.
When Jesus told them they would be comforted, they took it to heart. While they may not have been “happy” during the times of mourning, they were not hopeless.
They were hopeful for the Messiah; and sadly, many missed Him because He did not live up to their expectations to run off Rome and establish Israel as they used to be under David and Solomon.
Jesus’ mission was not to establish Himself as an earthly king; but rather to reign in the hearts and minds of His followers. It wasn’t to save a nation, but souls of all sorts of people.
John the Baptist and Jesus had public ministries and according to Matthew 3:2 and 4:17, preached the same thing, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”
The Old Testament contains many accounts of people putting on sackcloth and ashes. Someone wanting to show their remorse and repentance would do this. They would wear sackcloth (made from coarse black goat hair) and sit in ashes and place them on their head; and those ashes represented desolation and ruin. Doing that showed a change of heart – humility – sorrow.
In Esther 4, many Jews fasted, wept, wailed, and put on sackcloth and ashes when they heard the king’s edict that they would be annihilated. In Jonah 3, everyone in Nineveh, from the king down, put on sackcloth and ashes; and fasted to show their repentance.
This outward symbol demonstrated the sincerity of one’s sorrow and/or repentance. Just putting on sackcloth and ashes didn’t move God to intervene, but the motive behind the action did. Psalm 30:11 tells us that God removed David’s sackcloth and clothed him with joy.
Those who mourn over their sinfulness and repent will be comforted. No longer are they condemned, but rather have been pardoned. What would be more comforting than that; going from death row to being set free?
In John 14 and 15, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit; and depending on your translation, He was called the Advocate or Comforter or Encourager or Counselor … Greek “Paraclete” (see above).
The Holy Spirit would guide, comfort, and encourage the disciples after Jesus ascended; and on the Day of Pentecost that promise was fulfilled. When Jesus was on earth, He was in just one location at a time. The Holy Spirit lives within believers and can impact many locations at once.
2^nd Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT) … (3) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. (4) He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (5) For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ. (6) Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. (7) We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
It is the Spirit that provides comfort regardless of what is going on in our lives, reminding us of Scripture’s promises and God’s goodness. He is the One who prompts us to avoid the sinful things of this world; and to serve others and God. Be comforted knowing the Spirit marks and seals a believer and guarantees our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14). Live, love, share, and comfort others!