In Matthew chapter 5, we find the beginning of one of the most often read and best known passages in the Bible known as the Sermon on the Mount. If you have ever been to the location where they believe Jesus delivered this sermon, you would probably refer to it as the sermon on the small hillside. It is anything but a mount or mountain but it is a beautiful spot overlooking the Sea of Galilee. In the sermon, Jesus is speaking to a crowd of His followers. We must never forget that these words are for followers of Jesus whether they lived in the 1st century or now live in the 21st century. These are words for all of those who want to follow Christ today in 2020. The Greek word translated “blessed” is a difficult word to translate. Some translate it “happy” but that doesn’t quite capture the meaning because “happy” conveys an inward disposition that may or may not be present in the people to whom Jesus is referring to in each of the beatitudes. When a person has acquired good fortune, we call him or her blessed.” In the beatitudes, Jesus calls some people “blessed” who appear to be quite the opposite. According to most people, those who “mourn” don’t seem to be “blessed.” Jesus is contrasting the world’s idea of happiness with true blessedness which is spiritual and comes from a right relationship with God.

Scriptures
1 Samuel 15:24, 30a; Isaiah 55:6-7; Matthew 5:4; Luke 19:41; John 11:34-35; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 7:10a; James 2:19; 1 John 3:5

Verse
“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted. “ Matthew 5:14

Thought
The term “mourn,” in Matthew 5:4, means “to experience deep grief.“ In keeping with His theme of spiritual blessedness, Jesus seems to indicate that the mourning He is referring to is due to a person’s sorrow and sadness over their sin. The people who agree with God about the sin in their own hearts and lives can attain “a state of spiritual blessedness.” This will happen because of the Holy Spirit. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the comforter because the Spirit comforts those who are honest about their sin and humble enough to ask for forgiveness of those sins. That is so amazing! Those who try to hide their sin and try to justify it before God can never know the inner peace and comfort that comes from a pure heart as Jesus talks about in another beatitude.

Questions
How is being blessed different from happiness? How long has it been since you felt sorrow and grief over the death of a friend or family member? How does a person obtain spiritual blessedness? When was the last time your heart was broken for the sinfulness of our society? Do you cry easily? Why did Jesus cry at his friend Lazarus’ tomb when He knew he was going to bring him back to life? According to the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 7, how will Godly sorrow benefit us? Do you believe this statement is true or false? Just believing biblical truths will never change a person.

Response
If you are struggling with habitual sins (those that keep recurring in your life) ask God to break the pattern of sin and give you a spiritual heart that mourns these sins. In mourning your sin, you will be able to walk the path of repentance that you need. Open your heart to receive God’s mercy and forgiveness through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I will not try to hide my sin and justify it. I know it is sin in your eyes and I am sorry for it. I thank the Holy Spirit for doing the necessary work in my life to bring me to repentance and confession of my sin. I trust the Holy Spirit to comfort me in this process because I know and believe that I will be cleansed and forgiven of my sins because of the Savior who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.