THE BEATITUDES – PART 3

 

“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.”

 

Looking at the above statement, we can interpret it as meaning this is what we can expect when we mourn for the loss of a loved one: that we will be comforted. But that is not the teaching that Jesus is wanting to get across. This statement follows directly after the statement where Jesus is telling His disciples and those that came to listen that the foundation of happiness in the Christian walk is laid upon one having a humble heart.

The Greek word for mourn is pěnthěõ [pen-theh-o], implying to actively grieve or wail with a feeling of sorrow.

Now Jesus wants us to have an introspective look at the condition of our heart. This introspection will reveal just how sorrowful our hearts are as we see the sin that lies within us. We get to see the depravity of our lives. It is here where we see the word contrite come into play (see The Beatitudes – Part 2). The word contrite takes us down the path of the feeling of expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong [sinned], and therefore it creates a desire to fix the wrong, that is, to have a repentant heart.

For Jesus is telling them that when they realise that their hearts are full of sin, they shall be comforted as they come to the Father asking for forgiveness for their sins and then be cleansed of them. In this they shall receive the comfort [grace, mercy, and forgiveness] that is needed to move forward in their relationship with Him. And keeping a contrite heart shall lead one to having an understanding, that at the end of time, they again shall be comforted when in glory, in the kingdom of heaven.

We can take this just a little bit further as we consider the evangelistic duty as placed upon us by Jesus himself: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations …” (Matthew 28:19 NIV). For just as Jesus mourned when he saw the hearts of all the people who were lost, so should we have an inward mourning for them, stirring us on to try and reach them with the Good News of Jesus.

Let us not be blasé about the condition of our hearts; let us actively pursue a course of action in sorting out our hearts. Join with me as I ask the Holy Spirit to search the inner depths of my heart and to highlight things that need to be fixed, and then to have the courage to deal with them.