The Beatitudes – Part 2

Part 2 of 8 – A Bible Study on the Beatitudes in Matthew, Chapter 5

Blessed is He Who Comes In the Name of the Lord

• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
• Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
• Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
• Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.
• Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn, For They Shall Be Comforted

Thank you for continuing your study on the Beatitudes.

This is the second of the Beatitudes Jesus spoke of. But what does ‘those who mourn’ mean?

The Hebrew meaning of word mourn is “to lament, or express deep grief.”

Are we, as followers of Christ, called to be in a constant state of deep despair or grief? Heavens no!

This is not what Jesus was saying. Yahweh (God) has a divine order and He has established a pattern of which we are to follow in our communion (walk) with Him. The Beatitudes build upon one another and once we understand the reason for the order, we see our salvation in Christ Jesus.

As sinners, we are held in spiritual captivity. This is the truth. Jesus is our redeemer! He is the way, the truth and the life. This blessing of comfort comes as we, who were (or are) in captivity to things of this world begin to wake up and shake off the dust that has held us in bondage. This dust may be idol worship, doctrines of man, or works of the flesh that can only bring temporal satisfaction. When we recognize our sins for what they are and begin to put off the old man within us through repentance and follow Jesus, there is a true mourning process that occurs. We are convicted of our sins and fall to our knees crying out for forgiveness. God reveals our nakedness and exposes the darkness that we were once blinded to. It is in this mourning that the Holy Spirit comes as our Comforter.

Isaiah 61 proclaims the good news of Salvation. Let’s read vs.1-3 together and then I encourage you to continue reading the rest of the chapter on your own.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Only Jesus Christ can set us free from captivity to sin. Only Jesus can deliver us from tormenting spirits that afflict our souls. When we confess our sins and cry out to Him, He hears our prayers and sends His Comforter.

Psalm 30:8-12

I cried out to You, O Lord; and to the Lord I made supplication; “What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it declare Your truth? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper! You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.”

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Amen.

Note: Jeremiah, known as the lamenting prophet, cried out for the sins of Israel and Judah. While we all go through loss, grief and mourning on earth, let us focus on the eternal prize, our Salvation in Christ Jesus.