Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. – Matthew 5:4
At times it is difficult to see Jesus as a person rather than the Savior, Heaven’s King, and God’s Messiah. But He was indeed fully human, a man with responsibilities and relationships. While He often taught in public forums, much of the instruction-forming scripture comes from personal conversations between Him and His friends. How beautiful it is that God spoke His word to you from friend to friend!
Jesus was speaking to His companions as He delivered what is called “the beatitudes,” in the Bible, Matthew Chapter 5. The teachings are short descriptions of what life looks like for those in a relationship with God. If you have a cynical nature, you might notice the prerequisite to what He calls “blessed” looks strangely like what the world calls “top ten stressors to the human condition: ”mourning, financial struggle, weakness, and persecution. Yet, that very list makes His point, exactly!
Blessing in God’s Kingdom has nothing to do with the world’s definition of a comfortable life. Jesus did not soft-sell the fact that following Him in knowing the Father was a costly endeavor. He led by example, showing His friends that fellowship with the Father was worth every ache a human heart could endure. Jesus accepted the suffering necessary to make that relationship available to you.
Pray for public officials in America facing difficulties in their work and life to be surrounded by friends speaking the truth of God’s love to them in support. Ask that many will seek God in their challenges, develop a relationship with His Son, and comfort in His provision.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Revelation 21:3-7
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
