Blessed are Those Who Mourn

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Be Comforted

Scripture: Matthew 5:4 (ESV)

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Devotion:

          Today’s scripture is straightforward. The Greek word for mourning used here is pentheo. This word refers to deep grief which shows itself in outward signs such as weeping. Mourning includes grief caused by both personal sin and loss and social evil and oppression. [1]t may seem paradoxical that those who experience such deep sorrow would be blessed or happy, however, it becomes more clear when one examines the second phrase just what Jesus was teaching here.

          The second part of the beatitude tells us that those who mourn will be comforted. Parakaleo is the Greek verb here. It means here that the mourner will be consoled. This word is related to the Greek word used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit or paraclete. Part of the Holy Spirits ministry is to come along side those who mourn and bring soothing comfort to them. God will comfort now in part and fully in the future. That Christian mourning does not outweigh happiness as the more dominant characteristic of the Christian life remains clear from Matt 9:15.[2] 15 And Jesus said to them, Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.[3]

          Although today’s scripture may not be complex and difficult to understand it contains a simple but profound truth. God stands ready to comfort anyone of his children who are in mourning. In our recent past with covid-19 people were forced to forego funerals and what are the “normal” ways of grieving loss. Perhaps it breaks God’s heart when his people are thus separated from their loved ones at the time of death. We can only pray that God was with those who lost loved ones during this time.

Prayer:

          God of all comfort be with us as we mourn. Lead us in the paths of sorrow to again find happiness in life. Comfort those who have suffered as a result of any sin or oppression. Lead us into your arms to seek consolation in our times of loss. Whether it be loss of life, health, friendship or employment. Amen.


[1] Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 99.

[2] Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 99.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 9:15.

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