Last week – Blessed are the spiritually poor .
I know some felt God speaking to them.
Did you watch it again on YouTube and really take in what Jesus was saying to us?
I had a thought after the service . . .
I remembered a passage in Luke… Luke 18 where Jesus talked about two men.
The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”
13 ‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
14 ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’
One thought he was spiritually rich, and the other thought he was spiritually poor.
Who of them was blessed?
Actually, I thought of that story because it is a great link to the beatitude that comes next.
Jesus gives us a list of things that should be blessings.
It seems so topsey turvy.
Spiritually poor are blessed;
But OK – after last week’s message you see what Jesus meant.
He then continues this list in the greatest sermon.
And I don’t know how this fits with you:
Matthew 5:4…
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
What?
It’s like, “Happy are those who are sad”
Jesus again seemingly turning things upside down (right way up)
“Mourn”
We don’t use that word much – it’s not in common use in our society – in fact the only time we usually use it is when it comes to a funeral – when someone dies – and people mourn.
Is that what Jesus was talking about?
The New Testament was originally written in Greek.
Some of you know that I struggled with Greek all through college, so I’m definitely no authority on it, but I understand that the Greek language had nine different words in the bible that - in English has been translated, “mourn”.
That tells us that when we read “mourn” in scripture, it is broader than something we do at a funeral.
So what about the word in Matthew 5:4?
The Greek word used was a very strong word – it was the word used as in
wailing,
utter grief,
agony over sin,
suffering and
injustice.
It describes a person whose heart is broken (that word again) by what breaks God’s heart.
Do you mourn like that?
This kind of Mourning is an openness of showing brokenness over what breaks God’s heart.
It’s therefore something that is ongoing – not just at times of death.
Are you broken by what breaks the heart of God?
“Steve, give me some examples” ok
What breaks God’s heart?
Firstly – OTHERS around us
Are you in mourning for your neighbours?
For this country?
For many it’s more like:
“Oh dear – such a pity that my neighbour is like he is”
And
“Our country is not what it used to be, but it’s a sign of the times”
But Jesus is saying that we should be grieving – mourning! –
“God! I’m really concerned. My neighbour so needs You in their life!
s/he so needs to find meaning and love and faith in You.”
I’m pleading on their behalf – use me, send someone, intervene – that they might find peace and joy from You”
“Father! This country is heading in the wrong direction…… I’m in mourning for what is going on. What can I do to bring about justice, and honour to You?”
If you have a heart for the broken
If you are mourning over people and nations,
Jesus says, “you will be comforted”
When was you last deeply moved for someone or some situation?
John 11 death of Lazarus
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
Groaned
This was not for Lazarus – Jesus knew he would rise.
He was deeply moved and groaned when he saw the mourners – moved by their sorrow – compassion for others
Luke 19:41-44
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, ‘If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace – but now it is hidden from your eyes.
Wept over Jerusalem. Why?
They had rejected the chance they had to receive God’s peace.
They had chosen to keep their hard hearts
Luke 23:28 “Don’t weep for me (crucifixion), weep for yourelves and your children” . . . .
Do you weep over people with hard hearts?
The HS brings conviction in our lives – to see the hurt, damage, the broken relationships with God.
When we mourn we sigh, groan, get on our knees
“God, I see what You see! – it hurts!”
When we MOURN over these things….. we are more in tune with God, and Jesus says, we WILL be Comforted!
So, as we mourn for others, our heart changes – we feel closer to God and that brings comfort.
So mourning for others is part of following Jesus Christ.
Mourne for OURSELF
• We can put on a “Happy face” to those around us.
• We can cover up doubts, sin, guilt that’s on the inside.
We don’t want others to know we struggle with our sin, or guilt feelings and even our belief in God.
We go along with everyone else, who is putting on a happy face – who also are not wanting others to see their struggles.
Worse – we can try not to think about those things.
OK I sin, but I’m better than most
I’m doing ok really.
We don’t mourn for ourselves because - well “I’m not that bad.”
I’m a decent person.
God would have probably let me in heaven anyway.
We can even justify ourselves.
I’m not like those SINNERS.
They need Jesus – Christ died for THEM
Turn to Psalm 13 (not 30)
Here David is grieving and mourning:
Psalm 13[a]
A psalm of David.
1 How long, LORD? Will you forget me for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
That’s mourning!!!
And, in that mourning is David Blessed? Yes!!
In the midst of
grief
Doubt
Wrestling, and
The enemy seems to be winning
David is going through Real mourning….
And in that mourning is also real comfort:
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Because,
• as we attune to God,
• as we understand the heart of God,
• as we identify the things that “Breaks God’s heart” we will
Realise – that I’m not anywhere near perfect
React – Wow! I’m actually in a mess
Repent – I’m broken, and God’s heart is breaking
Reach out – to God, as David did. In so doing we
Receive comfort, because we are in tune with God’s Holy Spirit
Are you mourning –
For others, for nations, for yourself?
If you are mourning and in tune with God, then…..
You will be comforted.
Prayer:
Father God,
You encourage us to mourn, as Jesus did.
To grieve for people, for nations, and – yes for ourselves.
Thank you for this morning. May we indeed see people as you see them, and minister in the ways of Christ.
May we recognise our own sin and mess, and mourn what it does to us.
Like David, we say to You:
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
But then, may we find comfort:
5 I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the LORD’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
In the name of our Saviour – Jesus Christ. Amen
