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Welcome to the second episode in our series on the Beatitudes. If you haven’t listened to Episode 1 yet, I strongly encourage you to go back and start there.
As a quick reminder: Episode 1 was about the condition, being “poor in spirit”. Today, Episode 2 is about the contrition -mourning. And just to spark your interest, Episode 3 will be about control. There’s a beautiful, natural progression: from condition, to contrition, to control. The Beatitudes are widely regarded as the most profound discourse ever delivered — spoken by Jesus of Nazareth Himself.
Matthew 5:4 tells us:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Mourning is a state of deep grief. It’s the pain we feel when something valuable has been taken from us.
Being blessed is far deeper than simply being happy. The different states Jesus describes in the Beatitudes are all designed to lead us into true, lasting happiness in God’s kingdom. At first glance, mourning and blessing seem completely at odds — a clear dissonance. But remember what we learned in the last episode: the Kingdom of God is an upside-down kingdom. Its values are radically different from the ways of this world.
This second blessing flows naturally from the first — the poor in spirit. In this episode, we’ll examine mourning in light of the whole counsel of God.
It’s important to understand that not everyone who mourns will be comforted. The promise belongs to the saved — the citizens of God’s kingdom. Those are the ones who will ultimately have the last laugh.
Listen closely: the mourning and weeping we experience now is time-limited. It is not forever. Jesus makes this clear. Let me paint a helpful picture.
Imagine your entire life — whether 70, 80, or even 90 years — placed against the backdrop of eternity.
That lifetime becomes an almost invisible dot on the timeline. Our season of mourning is confined to this short life.
But for those who trust in Jesus, it is exchanged for an eternity with Him. There will be no more weeping with Him!
Luke 6:21 echoes this theme: “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”
The Greek word for “mourn” is pentheo. It means to lament, to mourn, to weep, to feel guilt, or to be deeply sad. Mourning doesn’t always require tears. It can be an inward state of the heart, even completely oblivious to people around.
Now, let’s look at five important contexts where the Bible talks about mourning:
First, mourning over our own sin — displeasing God through our wrongdoing. Genuine spiritual mourning is the work of the Holy Spirit. It’s pure grace and not of anything from us, for we do not have the capacity to turn of our own, to God. True mourning however produces repentance — a change of mind and heart, a hatred for sin, and a turning away from it. As 1 John 3, 9 says, no one born of God makes a practice of sin. Godly sorrow leads to repentance, and believers continue in the posture of repentance daily. Do not, mistake this, the practice of sin is a lifestyle, in sin and calls to question, if we were ever saved in the first place. Repentance is a turning away from sin. The understanding here is of vital importance.
Second, mourning on behalf of others — their sin, rebellion, or folly. Jesus Himself wept over Jerusalem:
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem… how often I have longed, to gather your children together… but you were not willing.”
We also see this in Ezra 10 where he mourns for the unfaithfulness of the people. Another example is Paul’s deep anguish for his countrymen. In Romans 9,2 and 3, Paul goes to the extent of wishing, that they would be saved even if it meant a risk to his own position in Christ. Proverbs 24, 11 and 12 challenges us powerfully to rescue those heading toward death. This passage left a lasting mark on me, and changed my heart and thinking.
Third, mourning the loss of loved ones, belongings, or what once stood strong. The Bible records set times of mourning for figures like Jacob, Samuel, and Moses. Yet for believers, we do not grieve like the world. We have eternal hope. As 1 Thessalonians 4, 13 to 18 reminds us, death is not the end for those in Christ. However the greatest joy will be beholding our Saviour face to face.
Fourth, and this is especially moving — our Lord Himself wept at the tomb of Lazarus, in John 11:35. The Greek word used in verse 33 and 38 shows He was deeply moved and agitated. Death is His enemy and this stirred emotions of grief and anger. Death was never God’s design for His beloved creation.
Fifthly, we mourn and even fast for the ones dear to us but spiritually lost. Many mourn for their children. Jesus points this out in Luke 23, 28. Friend, God sees our mourning and He graciously answers in His time.
Why does mourning hold such great value in God’s kingdom? Well, these are kingdom values.
For a start, a contrite, mourning heart is an acceptable, sacrifice, to God seen in Psalm 51, 17.
Secondly, mourning sets the stage for restoration of fellowship. Mourning leads to confession and repentance. God then forgives, restores joy, and fellowship. He longs for this. James 4,8 and 9 along with John 16,20 confirm this understanding.
Thirdly, our relationship with God, cannot grow, without it. James 4, 8 and 9 urges us: “Draw near to God… Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter turn to mourning and your joy to gloom.”
Intimacy exposes more of our fallen nature. Closer to Him, brighter the light and more of our dark corners illuminated, that need cleansing. Holiness is being worked out, conforming to the image of Jesus and not to the world. This is how we get set apart, exclusively, for Him.
Fourthly, when we mourn, in loss and suffering, the God of all comfort Himself, brings peace, assurance and hope shown in 2 Corinthians 1, 3 to 5. We can now pass this on! With this comfort we have received, we are blessed. But don’t miss this, we become a blessing, for others, because we can now comfort others with the same comfort we have received from the Lord. Remember we can give because we have received. This is how God’s kingdom operates for now, until every tear is wiped away eventually.
And now, the beautiful promise: Our mourning is temporary. It gives way to joy, comfort, and laughter.
Jeremiah 31,13 declares:
“I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.”
Revelation 21,4 promises:
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Friend, don’t lose the scriptural perspective, your position or His power. So, let me leave you with this word of encouragement from 2 Corinthians 4, 17, and this is the NET translation which reads, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
Did you see that? All this, far outweighs, the glory awaiting us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your upside-down kingdom, mourning leads to comfort. Give us tender hearts that mourn over sin — our own and the world’s. Turn our sorrow into joy and use our tears to draw us closer to You and to comfort others. We trust in the hope of eternity with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Quote
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” — Psalm 126:5