THE BEATITUDES (3)

Blessed Are They that Mourn

Matthew 5:4

Victor M. Eskew

 

          Most would not associate a blessing with mourning.  We do not enjoy crying.  We try to distance ourselves from things that bring sorrow and grief.  When we see others with tears streaming down their faces, one of the first things we say is:  “Don’t cry.”  Our Lord, however, reveals that a happy person will indeed mourn.  “Blessed are they that mourn:  for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4).

          This mourning comes as a result of the previous beatitude.  When we see ourselves as God truly sees us, we see a person who is sinful and vile.  We see a person who is lost.  We see a person who cannot save himself.  We see a person who is at odds with God.  It this pitiful condition that brings sorrow to our hearts, cries to our lips, and tears to our eyes.  Yes, this little word “mourn” means to weep audibly.  It is a cry of deep despair. 

          David committed sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah her husband.  He attempted to hide his transgressions, but God eventually exposed the iniquity.  Psalm 51 is David’s psalm of confession.  As we read the psalm, we can feel the broken heart of the King of Israel.  “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:  according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me of my sin.  For I acknowledge my transgressions:  and my sin is ever before me.  Against, thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:  that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest” (Ps. 51:1-4).  His mourning continues in Psalm 51:11.  “Cast me not away from hy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” 

          Peter was another person who truly grieved over his sin.  During the trials of Jesus, Peter was in the palace area.  Three times he was confronted by various individuals who affirmed that he was one of Jesus’ disciples.  Instead of standing on the side of his Savior, Peter denied the Lord three times.  “…And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.  And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter.  And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  And Peter went, and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:60-62).  Peter was truly penitent.  He was embarrassed.  He was ashamed.  He was humiliated.  He was spiritually defeated.  The one who believed he would die for the Christ was the one who denied being one of Jesus’ followers.  This stirred pain in his heart.  That pain brought tears to his eyes.  Listen to the words again:  “And Peter went, and wept bitterly.”

          Saul of Tarsus is a third example of one who mourned over his sins.  Saul was a well-trained individual in the ways of the Law of Moses.  He was of the sect of the Pharisees.  He was extremely zealous of the traditions of the fathers.  Initially, he did not believe the claims regarding Jesus of Nazareth.  Too, his mind was set on the destruction of the church of Christ.  It was he who wrote:  “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it” (Gal. 1:13).  This changed when he made his way to the city of Damascus.  Jesus confronted Saul.  “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus:  and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?  And he said, Who art thou, Lord?  And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:  it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:3-5).  When Saul asked the Lord what he wanted him to do, the Lord said:  “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:6).  Saul obeyed the Word of the Lord.  Acts 9:9 reveals the mournful condition of Saul prior to the arrival of Ananias who would instruct him in the way of salvation.  “And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”  Saul realized his sinful condition before the Lord.  Three days he felt the weight of his sins and transgressions upon him. 

          Yes, mourning is an important part in entering into a proper relationship with God.  However, there are two types mourning.  One is referred to as “godly sorrow.”  The examples we have studied in this article are manifestations of godly sorrow.  There is another type of sorrow.  It is referred to as “the sorrow of the world.”  This sorrow is of no profit to the soul.  Paul discusses these two sorrows in 2 Corinthians 7:10.  “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”  Some have described the sorrow of the world as the “sorrow of getting caught.”  The individual’s sin is exposed.  He is embarrassed, but he is not penitent.  Judas demonstrated this type of sorrow.  He betrayed the Christ for thirty pieces of silver.  Matthew’s gospel reveals that when Judas saw that Jesus was going to be condemned that he “repented himself” (Matt. 27:3).  He brought the silver back to the chief priests and elders, and confessed, “saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood” (Matt. 27:4).  He even threw the pieces of silver down in the temple (Matt. 27:4).  But, then we read that Judas “departed, and went and hanged himself” (Matt. 27:4).  Judas should have turned to his heavenly Father and prayed, confessing his sins.  This he did not do.  Judas was caught, but unfortunately, he was not converted.

          Jesus attaches a promise to this beatitude as well.  “Blessed are they that mourn:  for they shall be comforted.”  Those who display a penitent heart before God will find God’s comfort.  David knew this comfort could come from God.  In Psalm 51:8, he writes:  “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”  In verse 12, he makes this request of God:  “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit.”  David was forgiven of his transgressions.  He became the example for all monarchs of Israel who followed him.

          Paul also found comfort.  In 1 Timothy 1:12-17, Paul writes about the abundance of grace and mercy he received of the Lord.  He begins the section with gratitude and he concludes it with praise.  “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:  but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.  Amen.” 

          Do you truly see yourself as God sees you?  Does this sinful state bring you to tears?  Let these tears move you to repentance.  Feel the sting of sin so deeply, that you are resolved to put it away from you.  To those who are willing to die to that old way of living, Jesus has promised comfort that only He can give.  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).