CWW Week 2 - Day 2 - Jesus's Recipe For Life

I once called my spiritual mentor Pastor Geoff, to tell him that I felt I had drifted in my faith and the fire was going out. He asked me how I felt about that to which I replied “wretched”. “Thank God for that”, he said. I asked what he meant? “If you weren’t worried about it then I would be really concerned. Where was it that you left Him?” I remembered exactly where it started and I went straight back and there and He was waiting arms outstretched.

In Matthew 5:4, Jesus continues His Sermon on the Mount with another profound beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (NKJV). This verse may seem paradoxical at first glance, as mourning typically signifies sorrow or grief. However, Jesus reveals a deeper truth about the nature of spiritual mourning.

To mourn in the context of this beatitude is not merely about grieving over personal losses or hardships, although that certainly plays a part. It encompasses a heartfelt sorrow over sin, both personal and corporate. It involves lamenting the brokenness and suffering in the world, including the consequences of sin and injustice.

Jesus pronounces a blessing upon those who mourn in this way. They are blessed because their mourning reflects a sensitivity to the realities of a fallen world and a longing for restoration. Their sorrow is not without hope, for Jesus promises that they will be comforted.

This beatitude challenges us to cultivate a compassionate heart, one that is moved by the pain and suffering around us. It calls us to mourn with those who mourn and to stand in solidarity with the marginalised and oppressed. It also invites us to examine our own lives and attitudes, acknowledging our need for repentance and renewal.

As we reflect on Matthew 5:4, let’s consider these questions:

• What aspects of sin and brokenness in the world stir my heart to mourn?
• How does my mourning lead to action and compassion for others?
• In what ways do I need comfort and healing from God in the midst of my sorrow and grief?

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, Papa God, we thank You for the promise of comfort to those who mourn. Give us hearts that are sensitive to the pain and suffering around us, and empower us to be agents of Your healing and restoration in the world. Grant us Your comfort and peace in times of sorrow and grief, and help us to find hope in Your promise of redemption. In Jesus’ name, Amen.