Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
When we hear the word “mourn”, we typically associate it with death of a loved one. It is a sense of loss powerful enough so that it cannot be suppressed or internalized. It comes out in wailing and tears. It comes from a feeling of unrecoverable loss of something that is part of us. Gone, never to be seen again in this life. But there is a way to once again to be reunited with loved ones – but it can only happen one way.
Jesus says those who mourn are happy or blessed. How could someone who is mourning be blessed at the same time? What is the comfort He speaks of?
Consider the promises of God to the righteous. The righteous, those who are saved through repentance and faith, have promised benefits that are enormously encouraging:
- Eternal life (John 5:24, John 11:25-27).
- Redemption, the forgiveness of all sin (Eph 1:7).
- The inheritance of God’s Kingdom. (Mat 25:34, Heb 9:14-15)
- The eternal comfort the righteous receive in the fullness of God’s Kingdom. (Rev 21:3-4)
There is even the hope of being reunited once again with those whom we knew in this life and who were saved. We will be with them. How do we know? Because Jesus raised the dead in front of many witnesses and He himself was raised to life after being crucified appearing to many people, even Thomas who at first doubted and then believed when he saw the risen Jesus face to face.
The scriptures teach a resurrection unto life for the righteous. Thus, if we and our loved ones are of the righteous, then we will be raised to life and enter into the Kingdom of God together. We will be together with each other and with the Lord forever.
If you mourn over the loss of a loved one who knew Christ, then receive comfort in the promises of the Lord. Your mourning shall be replaced by joy.
If you are not saved, then you are not of the righteous and these promises do not apply. You shall also mourn but there will be no comfort, for the second death, the lake of fire, is not an existence of comfort. You will mourn at the missed opportunities to know forgiveness in Christ. You will mourn at the eternal separation from the God who created you. You will mourn at the eternal separation from all those whom you knew and loved in life. There is no alternative reality other than God’s Kingdom for the righteous and the lake of fire for the wicked. But here is the good news:
Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved. So, today, mourn with sorrow over your sin that you may receive Jesus by placing your complete trust in Him and receive the comfort and joy of knowing forgiveness He alone can provide through His death on the cross for you. Your sins have been paid for in full.
If you mourn over your sinfulness and repent, if you place your complete trust in Christ, you shall indeed be blessed with the comfort and joy of salvation, the forgiveness of your sin, the promised inheritance – God’s Kingdom shared with all who believe.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4.
