“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)
The second beatitude in Matthew 5 is a paradox. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn.” In effect, Jesus is saying, “Happy are the sad.” Conversely, when Jesus says in Luke 6:25, “Woe unto you that laugh now,” He is saying, “Sad are the happy.” The world might say that such statements are the product of a feverish delirium. But Jesus is making an important point. He is pointing the way to a happiness that the world cannot give.
In the Beatitudes, Jesus lays out His plan for obtaining true happiness. His plan is opposite to the way most people pursue happiness. People say, “Happy are the rich.” Jesus says, “Happy are the poor in spirit.” People say, “Happy are the mighty and the independent.” Jesus says, “Happy are the meek and submissive.” People say, “Happy are those who pursue pleasure.” Jesus says, “Happy are those who pursue righteousness.”
People want happiness, and often they think they know what would make them happy. They pursue happiness in money, pleasure, entertainment, power, or popularity. The Declaration of Independence (of the USA) states that it is a self-evident truth that all people have the right to the pursuit of happiness. Yet many people find that the pursuit of happiness is just that—a chase that never ends.
The word that is translated as blessed means “happy.” It was the ordinary word “happy” in Jesus’ day. The English translators of the Bible chose the word blessed because they correctly understood that Jesus was speaking of a joy that transcends earthly happiness. However, knowing that Jesus used an ordinary word meaning “happy” brings out something important about the Beatitudes. Jesus is showing us His plan for human happiness in contrast to the world’s plan for obtaining happiness. Essentially, Jesus is saying, “Do you want to be happy—truly happy? Here’s how.”
In the Beatitudes, we hear the voice of our Creator speak. He knows what makes us tick. And so when He says, “This is how to be happy,” we should anticipate that He knows what He is talking about. What then did He mean when He said that those who are sad are the ones who find true happiness?
1. The Meaning of Mourn in This Verse
There are many reasons that people mourn. They might mourn because of a lost job, a broken relationship, or the death of a loved one. God comforts His children in every affliction they experience. However, the context of Matthew 5:4 suggests that this beatitude is not primarily directed toward those grieving personal loss.
All of the Beatitudes describe a character trait that disciples of Jesus are responsible to cultivate in their lives. The Beatitudes describe the spiritual life of true disciples. To be meek, to be merciful, and to be pure in heart are all virtues that flow out of a heart transformed by God’s grace. In this context, then, the mourning spoken of in this verse is something that we have a moral duty to do. Though it is natural and good to grieve a personal loss, a person has no moral obligation to do so. But God does place upon us a moral duty to sorrow in true repentance for the sins we have committed.
In Isaiah 22:1-11, the prophet foretold the coming invasion of the land of Judah. Jerusalem would be besieged and destroyed by enemy armies because the Jews had forsaken God and disobeyed His laws. God called the people to repent of these sins and be spared from judgment. Isaiah said, “And in that day did the Lord God of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning.” But instead of responding with repentance, there was “joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we shall die” (verses 12-13). Instead of being sorry for their sin and fearing the judgment that was coming, they partied. They were happy now, but soon they would be in distress. If they had repented, they could have received mercy instead of judgment.
The prophet Joel also called the Jewish people to mourn because of their sin. He said, “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful” (Joel 2:12-13).
James 4:9-10 admonishes those who have sinned, saying, “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
The prophet Ezekiel had a vision in which he foresaw God’s judgment upon Jerusalem. Before judgment fell, a mark was put upon those “that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof” (Ezekiel 9:4). These people received God’s mercy. They mourned for the sins of the people around them.
2. A Description of Mourning in Repentance
The Greek word repent means literally “to change one’s mind.” Repentance means reflecting on the wrong one has done, acknowledging and confessing that the deed was wrong, and turning away from doing that wrong.
In order to become a follower of Jesus, we must repent of our sins. This means that we turn away from a life of disobedience to God and instead submit to Jesus Christ. After we become a follower of Jesus, we need to repent whenever we commit a sin.
In Scripture, there is a close connection between genuine repentance and mourning. The Scripture passages quoted in the previous section indicate this. Also, the king of Nineveh repented in sackcloth and ashes, the ancient way of expressing grief (Jonah 3:6). Josiah tore his clothes and wept when he realized the sin of Israel (2 Kings 22:19). Peter wept after he denied Christ.
Sincere repentance results in bitter sorrow over our sins because it fully recognizes the tragic effects of sin. Sin grieves a holy God. Sin is the cause of violence, abuse, and misery in this world. Sin brings death. Our sins have caused pain and suffering. The proper response is mourning.
Not all sorrow for wrongdoing is godly sorrow. There is a difference between genuine repentance and mere regret. I might regret that I was caught doing wrong, I might regret that my wrongdoing caused suffering to others, or I might regret the consequences I am experiencing because of my sin. But regret is not sorrow for sin itself. It does not feel keenly the terror and evil of sin. Rather, regret is self-centered. It is sullen and resentful at the hardship my sin has caused me. It is bitter and dejected because of the reproach my wrongdoing has brought me. It is gloomy, ill-humored, sulky, and depressed because I have made a mess of things, and I am not willing to humble myself, admit my wrongs, and make restitution for the damage I have caused.
Judas Iscariot regretted that he had betrayed Jesus. He went and hanged himself. In contrast, Peter repented of his denial of Christ. He wept bitterly and turned again to Christ and found forgiveness. Repentance is humble and broken. It admits that I have wronged another person. It asks for forgiveness. It makes amends. It seeks reconciliation with the offended parties. It determines by God’s grace not to wrong my brother or sister or my God again. It accepts the consequences of my sin with meekness, recognizing that I am reaping what I have sown.
Also, godly mourning is not a sense of worthlessness. The devil gleefully heaps condemnation and false accusations upon us. He wants to destroy us. He wants to lead us into the pit of despair where we feel toxic shame. We feel toxic shame when we believe the lie, “I am a hopeless failure.”
God, on the other hand, leads us to a healthy shame for a specific sin. Healthy shame says, “I have failed. What I did was wrong. But I repent, and by God’s grace I will do better next time.” We can escape the condemnation of the devil by fleeing to Christ and saying, “Yes, I have sinned. But I have confessed my sin and repented of it. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses me from all sin. Now nothing can separate me from His love. He has chosen me. I am His” (1 John 1:9; Romans 8:33-39; John 15:16).
David provides us with an example of godly mourning for sin. After he had committed adultery and murder, and the prophet had pointed out his guilt, David repented. He mourned for his sin. His confession is recorded in Psalm 51.
a. David took ownership for his sin (verses 3-4)
David prayed, “I acknowledge my transgressions” (verse 3). He did not blame Bathsheba, his servants, or anyone else. He owned the deeds he had committed as his own sinful choices.
Much modern thinking tries to put the blame for our sinful choices on outward circumstances rather than on ourselves. Many say that bad choices are the result of genetic disposition, repressed childhood trauma, poverty, or lack of education. These things are factors that may influence us. But the Bible says that our wrongdoing is the result of our own sinful choices. (We do recognize that diseases, such as those causing dementia, can cause people’s actions to no longer result from the free exercise of their will.)
b. David pleaded for mercy (verses 1-2)
David recognized that he had wronged others. He had sinned against God. He needed to ask for forgiveness. When we have wronged others, we need to go and confess that we have done wrong and ask for forgiveness. When we sin, we sin against God. We also need to confess our sin to Him and ask for forgiveness. David prayed, “Have mercy upon me, O God” (verse 1).
We should not be too hasty when claiming God’s forgiveness. We show ingratitude for the price paid for our forgiveness and presume upon God’s mercy when we neglect to take time to mourn for our sin. It can be easy to say quickly, “Forgive me,” without actually stopping to grieve for our offense against God. When we claim the promise of forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we claim something purchased at no small price.
Taking time to mourn for our sin helps us to overcome sin because it forces us to see sin for what it is and to face it in all its terribleness. It causes us to stop and think about what sin is in God’s sight. It helps us to reflect on what our sin does to others and how it injures them physically and emotionally. When the ugliness of our sin stands before our eyes, it moves our will to turn from it and seek newness of life in Christ. We don’t like to see our choices in that light. It does not make us feel good. But that is the point—mourning is not a pleasant thing. When mourning in repentance leads to victory over our sin, the result is joy in our lives.
c. David sought to rebuild broken relationships (verses 10-12)
The prophet Isaiah said, “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). David recognized that his relationship with God needed to be restored. First, David needed a clean heart and a right spirit (verse 10). He needed a heart that desires what God desires and a mind that agrees with God’s Word. Then, David could once again enjoy fellowship with God. He prayed, “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation” (verses 11-12).
Sin may also damage our relationships with others. We need to be restored to them. After confessing our sin, we need to work to rebuild trust and open communication with them. If possible, we should make reparation for the damage we caused. If our sin has caused financial loss to others, we should offer to repay them, like Zacchaeus did (see Luke 19:8).
3. Woe to Those That Laugh
In Luke 6:25, Jesus said, “Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.” If we ignore God’s call to repentance, we can be sure we will eventually reap the consequences of our choices. We already considered how, in Isaiah 22, God called the people to repent and mourn for their sins, but instead they partied. What about us? Could it be that God is trying to get our attention, showing us a sin we need to repent of, and instead of listening we are laughing our way through life?
There was sin in the church at Corinth. Paul rebuked them, not merely for the sin, but also for their attitude toward sin. He said, “Ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned” (1 Corinthians 5:2). They were arrogant. They did not think they needed to humble themselves and mourn for the sin.
We sing, “Jesus paid it all,” and indeed He did. That is a precious truth. But does God’s great mercy incline us to think that if we have a little sin here and a little sin there, it does not matter? Dear friends, sin is no laughing matter. Consider the price paid! Never was a gift obtained with a greater sacrifice. Never should a gift be received with a greater sense of awe. If sin were a trifling thing, Jesus would not have needed to die on the cross for our sins.
There is a great need in the church (let us start with the church and not with the world) for an awareness of the seriousness of sin and the terribleness of it. If we are plagued by a defective view of sin, could it be that it is because we have a defective view of God’s holiness? Hell exists for a reason. Sin cannot abide in God’s presence.
Could it be that God is asking today, “Where are the mourners?” When Christ sent His message to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, He admonished five out of seven of the churches to repent. That is a startling statistic. If Christ is not calling us to repent, we should not place false guilt upon ourselves. But if the churches in Revelation are at all representative of us today, Christ may very well have a message of repentance for us also. If Christ is calling us to repent, throwing a party is not the right response.
Sin is not to be trifled with. If you know sin is in your life, do not brush it off. Do not ignore sin by saying that it is “my weakness” or just “my personality” or by saying, “Everyone has their besetting sin.” We may indeed struggle with a particular sin for a long time. Because God’s mercy is great, He will forgive us over and over again. But when we no longer mourn over sin and see it for what it is, our hearts grow hard toward God.
Do not laugh at sin—it is forbidden entertainment. Romans 1:32 warns that the righteous judgment of God awaits not only those who practice sins, but also those who “have pleasure in them that do them.” Do not take delight in the violence and perversion that parade across the digital screen in front of you. Do not smirk at crude jokes. Do not listen to songs glorifying drunkenness and rebellion. Do not secretly relish the thought of sin in your heart. If we are going to be men and women after God’s own heart, we need to mourn over such things.
4. God Comforts Those Who Mourn
The promise Jesus gives to those who mourn is that they shall be comforted. God promises that those who genuinely repent and mourn over their sin will find joy and comfort. When David cried out to God in repentance, he anticipated that God would restore to him the joy of salvation and that his tongue would sing and his mouth show forth God’s praise (Psalm 51:12-15).
The prophet proclaimed, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God . . . cry unto her . . . that her iniquity is pardoned” (Isaiah 40:1-2). Paul told the Corinthian church how to respond to a man who had repented. Paul said, “Ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him . . . I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him” (2 Corinthians 2:7-8).
When sin is confessed and forgiveness extended, God takes away the burden of guilt and the sorrow of broken fellowship with Him. Mourning is replaced with the comfort of knowing that all is forgiven and that reconciliation now bridges the divide between the sinner and God. In the place of hostility comes peace; in the place of pain, healing; in the place of separation, friendship.
The joy of the redeemed in Heaven will likely exceed the joy Adam and Eve had in the garden of Eden. Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve could not comprehend the greatness of God’s mercy. After witnessing God’s sacrifice when Christ hung on the cross for us, we know how much God loved us. Those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb have tasted the joy of forgiveness. Their praises will resound throughout eternity. But those who refuse to repent will never know the happiness of God’s comfort.
Do you mourn under the burden of sin? Christ invites you to come to Him.
“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7).
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