Blessed are they that mourn ...

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted,”

Jesus pronounces a benediction on the mourners, because they will be comforted by God. These souls are not mourning over the loss of a loved one but they are mourning over their personal sin and the state of sin around them. The Psalmist says,

“Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law” (Ps.119:136).

The prophet Jeremiah was broken by backsliding Israel and judgement of God which followed, he declares,

“Before Me continually are grief and wounds” (Jer.6:7b).

He opens his heart to mourning and tears,

“Oh, that my head were waters, And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night For the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jer.9:1).

“Let my eyes flow with tears night and day, And let them not cease; For the virgin daughter of my people Has been broken with a mighty stroke, with a very severe blow” (14:17).

His is a double mourning - for Israel’s rebellion and for Israel’s suffering as a consequence of God’s judgement. Jesus promises comfort to the mourner, He does not promise to remove the cause of pain, but in the midst of brokenness the Comforter comes alongside to console and strengthen.