Passage: Matthew 5:4 Speaker: Pastor Lukus Counterman Series: Beatus - Favored by God
Speaker: Lukus Counterman - We will be studying the second characteristic of Kingdom citizens described by our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount. The unusual thing about this beatitude in Matthew 5:4 is that Christ links the comfort of God to mourning. He seems to say that the way to a jubilant heart is through tears. But these aren’t just any tears; they are the tears of one who is broken and contrite. These tears result from “godly grief” like that of the sensitive 18th Century missionary named David Brainerd. On October 18, 1740, he wrote in his journal, “In my morning devotions my soul was exceedingly melted, and bitterly mourned over my exceeding sinfulness and vileness.” Perhaps the tears he shed are the kind which God is said to store in his bottle (Ps. 56:8). Such mourning, such bewailing over sin is promised divine comfort. God in his grace freely forgives those who come to him and grieve over their sin. Jesus himself was the promised comforter. He would comfort his people (Isaiah 40:1), bring consolation (Luke 2:25), and give a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit (Isaiah 61:3). Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.