God's Mission
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
~ Jesus
Mourning cannot be limited exclusively to expressing sorrow for one's sin … or grief surrounding death. … Rather, "those who mourn" has the more comprehensive sense of Isaiah 61:2-3, an inclusive grief that refers to the disenfranchised, contrite, and bereaved. It is an expression of the intense sense of loss, helplessness, and despair.
~ R.A. Guelich, Sermon on the Mount
Isaiah 61:2-3
- to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, - and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Pondering Point
In general, a mourner is one who has had something beneficial taken from them – usually without consent or desire. Think of a grieving widow or orphaned child, a dumped boyfriend or fired employee. While nobody wants to be “in mourning”, this view of mourners leaves Jesus saying even if you are grief-stricken, you’re not beyond blessing. Why might this matter?
One mindset of the day equated negative experiences with divine judgment (like 1 Kings 17 for example). Bad experiences or loss could lead to being shunned or ignored by others, abandoned, or imagined as cursed by God. That’s a far cry from blessing. Jesus’ words reverse that mentality.
Just because you’re in a sorrowful place does not mean that you are cursed by God; quite the opposite, you are still loved and able to be blessed. Take comfort: You are not rejected. The Apostle Paul was clearly committed to living for God. In fact, because of that, he went through many experiences that could be described as negative (2 Corinthians 11:16-33). Many would have crumbled under such troubles. But Paul knew he was loved. Mourners, you have not been abandoned by God; even if life leaves you in a world of pain – He is there; the Comforter is with you.
2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Paul Boasts About His Sufferings
16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the comfort of knowing that even when things seem to go wrong, it is not a sign of rejection by You or Your Father. Thank You for the blessed truth and knowledge that through You, sin’s curses are broken and all incurred debts paid. I am grateful to be blessed and comforted. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Sermon on the Mount: Epi. 5::
The Powerless, Grieving, and Unimportant (Beatitudes Pt. 2)
What does it mean to be poor in spirit, mourning, and meek? Jesus uses these words in the opening of the Sermon on the Mount, and the guys examine them in biblical Greek and Hebrew, finding that a better translation may be “powerless,” “grieving,” and “unimportant.” These are the people that Jesus believes will have the “good life.” How can that be? In this episode, Jon, Tim, and guests explore the first triad of the Beatitudes, shedding light on how those at the bottom of society are actually better prepared to receive the kingdom of the skies.
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/powerless-grieving-and-unimportant-beatitudes-pt-2/
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119: Immersed in the Word of God
Micro-Meditation
Psalm 119:65-72 9th letter: Teth (ט)
- Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord. - Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands. - Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word. - You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees. - Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart. - Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law. - It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees. - The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Read the versus of the Psalm.
Mark the words or phrases that catch your attention.
Meditate: talk (or better, write) with God about those words. Ask him to impress things upon your heart and mind; expect responses.
Teaching or Command of God
John 7:24
Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”
The Promise
Matthew 7:2
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Pondering Point
Looking back into your life, how has affliction (vs 67, 71) drawn your attention toward God? Was it a help or a hindrance to your walk with God?