The Beatitudes - Part 3

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Before doing this study, I never connected the dots between the verses of the Beatitudes. It was evident to me that each one spoke of a character trait, which reflected the character of Jesus, but I did not connect them to one another. This verse "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted", to me, meant anyone mourning for any reason. Everyone mourns at one time or another if they have lost someone they loved. Moreover, in that same light, is it very different to read 'the poor in spirit' as anyone depressed, or down like David when he said his soul was downcast? I do not think that such a stretch; especially when the reader is young in faith or not familiar with the original languages. That's why this study excited me so!

The phrase "…those who mourn..." in this verse is hoi penthountes in Greek. It translates to "sorrow for one's sins and the sins of others." It is the passive attitude used here. Not passive as we might think of it as doing nothing, but as in attitude and not the physical action of beating one's chest and wailing in sorrow. Admittedly, I wailed aloud in sorrow over my sin when the true ugliness and failure was revealed to and overwhelmed me. In this verse, however, it is sorrow and sadness over sin against God.

So let's start connecting the dots…

Jesus is talking of the qualities of true believers, the redeemed. The foundational characteristic is humility…a poverty of spirit, a brokenness that acknowledges spiritual bankruptcy (Matthew 5:3). Genuine believers see themselves as sinners; they know they have nothing to offer God that will buy His favor. This is why they mourn (Matthew 5:4) with sorrow that accompanies true repentance. They are of a humble mind, and continual dependence for acceptance on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, with constant seeking the Holy Spirit, to cleanse away the remaining evil. Heaven is the joy of our Lord, a mountain of joy, to which our way is through a vale of tears. God shall comfort such mourners.

John 14:1 [ Jesus Comforts His Disciples ] " Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace,

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."