“Be Glad When You’re Sad” Matthew 5:4 Beatitudes - #2
Intro: Today, we continue our series from the Beatitudes. To refresh our minds, the word
“Beatitude” means Supreme Blessedness, and the word “Blessed” means having a
Spiritual Joy and Satisfaction that remains regardless of conditions. With this in mind,
we look to Beatitude #2, found in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they
will be comforted.” Ecc. 7:2 says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to a
house of feasting.” Luke 6:25 also says, “Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn
and weep.”
We all like to laugh and have a good time, don’t we? We hear it’s even healthy for us.
Yet, Jesus tells us that we are “Blessed” when we mourn. This is difficult to understand
because it is contrary to our human experience. We live in a society and a world that is
“Pleasure-Hungry.” Most of life is spent avoiding sorrow and pain.
What is so good about Mourning? (Think about it this way) ---- When you truly are sorrowful
and when you truly MOURN, it shows that you’re SERIOUS about whatever it is. It shows
that you honestly and truly care in a deep way. Illus. - (Ballgame - Player gets hurt - Hush
falls over the crowd - Outcome not as important.) Also, think about this: Does it mean
more to you if someone comes to a happy party you’re having or if they show up when
you’re grieving and sad?
These are some “real-life” examples. Now, let’s ask ---- What kind of Blessedness and
Mourning is Christ talking about in this passage? In this Beatitude, He is talking of a
Deep, Godly Sorrow. To “Mourn” means to have a Broken Heart and a Helpless,
almost Desperate Sorrow. It is not being sorry because you did something and you
got caught. (IT IS HAVING A DEEP SORROW FOR YOUR SINS.)
Illus. - A well-known businessman stayed at a hotel and complained to the management
about the high amount of bugs he had in his room. Later, he received a letter from the
corporate headquarters which lamented their sorrow and regret that a person of such
fame, social standing, honor, respect and brilliance had to endure these conditions. By
mistake however, a small piece of paper was accidentally included in the formal letter
which read, “Send him the BUG LETTER.” (They weren’t the least bit sorry!)
A person who mourns is a person who is desperately sorry for their sins. They have such
a sense of their sin, that their heart is just broken. When was the last time you felt that
deep, internal agony and sorrow for your sins? (I’m not sure some of us ever have.)
And yet, 2 Cor. 7:10 says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and
leaves no regret.....” Here we see that GODLY SORROW OVER SIN is what brings
about repentance, then forgiveness which leads to deliverance.
In this Beatitude, Jesus is saying in effect, that there can be no true joy or that deep,
comforting satisfaction which comes from being blessed unless their is an honest sorrow
for your sin. In other words, He is saying, “Blessed are those who are sorry about
their sinfulness.” It is only within this admission, that we can truly be comforted.
Conclusion: (Think of it this way) ---- It is only those who know the reality of the penalty
of sin, that can truly appreciate what it means to be forgiven and to be spared from it.
Illus. - (Highway Worker - Co-worker pulled him out of truck’s way and saved his life -
The saved man felt deeply indebted and was forever grateful because he knew he
could’ve easily died.)
Likewise, those of us as Christians who spiritually understand the “end-result” and
penalty of sin, can fully appreciate, are indebted to and are truly thankful for our
deliverance from death made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This brings us comfort not only today, but for ETERNITY as well. This is how “WE CAN
BE GLAD EVEN WHEN WE’RE SAD.”
As you leave here today, keep in mind that persons who are always laughing and
joking and are never serious about life, are often the most shallow and most miserable.
It is only when we truly MOURN OVER OUR SINS, that He comforts us and blesses us
with a settled inward peace; a relief; an assurance of forgiveness, of protection and of
deliverance; full acceptance and a fullness of joy that cannot be moved.
Take some time this week to lament and to mourn over your sins before Almighty God.
Truly repent of your sins, truly be forgiven and again experience HIS TRUE COMFORT!
-Prayer
