Tuesday, June 26, 2007

blessed are those who mourn

matthew 5.4
"blessed are those who mourn..."

mourn over sin: see his purity: see own filth
  • ii cor 7.9-11: sorrow leading to repentance: inspire and challenge, motivate to change
  • sorrow of the world: fear of being caught
  • sorrow of God: heart change
two pictures of sorrow
  1. peter: offended Christ by betrayal: wept bitterly, repented before Christ
  2. judas: offended Christ by betrayal: stricken by guilt, hanged himself
"...for they shall be comforted"
  • pain hollows out a place for God's comfort, a need for Him (isa 61.1-3)
isa 61
  • v2 - to comfort all those who mourn...
  • v3 - so that He may be glorified(!)
so what?!
  • repent: God's comfort is forgiveness of sin: you can't do it
  • mourn - comfort - comfort others (ii cor 1.3-5)
  • comfort is the real solution, not "consoling," but forgiving