Faithbase

In Matthew chapter 5 verse 4, Jesus says, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. I've used this verse numerous times talking to families who have had someone pass away, its own funeral material and those kind of things, because I think that's legitimate. That comforting and peace come to those who are mourning over somebody who's lost something, specifically a loved one. That's part of the power of the Holy Spirit, that's part of being part of a church family, how we can invest into other folks. So from that standpoint of mourning, yes, blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. But I think Jesus, when we look at the greater context of the Sermon on the Mount, is talking more about just the mourning we feel when somebody we love passes away. Because throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks about us recognizing the condition of our heart without Him, recognizing our own sin, recognizing our own arrogance and rebellion or whatever that sin may be. Ultimately, recognizing our own fallenness and our need for Jesus. And here's the beauty of it, that guilt doesn't have to be a part of that. Because He says, blessed are those who mourn, meaning those who recognize their sin. Why? Not because they feel guilty, not because they feel shame, not because they are down on themselves, no. Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted. That's why Jesus came, to renew our broken relationship with the Father, to give rebirth to that broken heart that's been broken by sin, and to breathe life into our lives. So when we recognize our sin and we repent of our sin and we turn from our sin, Jesus says, blessed are those who are mourned by that. Why? Because they will be comforted. We'll find comfort through His Holy Spirit. We'll find comfort through, preferably through each other, our church families, through studying His Word, through prayer. There's all kind of avenues in which God uses to help us be comforted when we come to the realization of our sin. So religion may use guilt, religion may use pressure, but Jesus brings freedom. So I want to encourage you today, recognize your sin, mourn over it, so that you can be comforted, so that that guilt and shame can be removed, and Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can bring you redemption and grace and mercy and purpose and meaning. And if I can help you in any way do that, please shoot me a message, let me know. God bless. Have a great day.