What does Jesus mean when He says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”? This mourning is more than sadness or tears. Jesus is describing the godly sorrow that recognizes the seriousness of sin and leads us to repentance.
In this sermon from the Sermon on the Mount, we examine the biblical pattern of mourning over sin. We begin with the need to mourn over our own sin, recognizing our guilt and desperate need for God’s mercy. We then consider the proper way for Christians to mourn over the sins of those around us and the sins that are celebrated in our nation. Biblical mourning should never become self-righteousness; rather, it should lead us to prayer and a desire for sinners to hear and believe the gospel.
The promise attached to this mourning is comfort. Those who mourn their sin and turn to Christ find forgiveness through His finished work. The Holy Spirit, our Comforter, brings assurance of the salvation Christ has accomplished. Yet our mourning does not end at conversion. Until Christ returns, Christians continue to battle sin and repent of it.
One day, however, mourning will end forever. Christ will return, death will be defeated, and God will wipe away every tear from the eyes of His people. The godly sorrow of this present age will give way to eternal joy in the presence of Christ.
