Sorrow-The Way to Happiness
Text: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4).
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:1-4; 2 Corinthians 7:10
Introduction
The way to happiness is outlined in the first twelve verses of Matthew 5. Last Sunday we noted that the word translated "blessed" in the Beatitudes may also be translated "happy." In the first beatitude Jesus said the initial step toward happiness is humility-being "poor in spirit."
We find a very strange statement in the second beatitude: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
What would you think of a person who said to a crying child, "Why are you so happy?" You probably would conclude that the person is either crazy or cruel! The response to Christ’s remark that a mourning person is happy has been similar. The statement does not seem to add up.
It is here that we need to remind ourselves that the Beatitudes were not spoken to unbelievers, but to the disciples. Remember verse 1? "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him." What Jesus said regarding the way to happiness is directed to Christians alone, those who are capable of experiencing life at its highest level of happiness.
"Blessed [happy] are they that mourn." Does this refer to persons who wander around with a dismal countenance, downcast persons whom you dread to see because they are always bearers of some woeful news? Not at all! As J. B. Phillips translates this verse, Jesus says, "How happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort!"
There are two kinds of sorrow, however. One leads to happiness and the other to misery. One carries with it a blessing and the other none at all. One leads to life and the other to death. Paul distinguished between the two in 2 Corinthians 7:8-10. One he called "godly sorrow" and the other he called "worldly sorrow." He explained, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death" (v.10 NIV). To understand this beatitude and experience the happiness it promises, we need to recognize sorrow that leads to misery and sorrow that leads to happiness.
I. Sorrow that leads to misery.
When Jesus said’, "Blessed are they that mourn," he meant a different sort of mourning than what most people experience. Too often our sorrow is the wrong kind. It is what Paul called "worldly sorrow [that] brings death" (2 Cor. 7:10 NIV).
But exactly what type of sorrow leads to misery?
A. Sorrow because of getting caught. Remember, "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked" (Ps. 32:10). And one of their many sorrows is that of getting caught. The thief who is arrested, the drug pusher who is apprehended, the student who cheats, or the husband or wife who is unfaithful may be sorry to have been caught, but this sorrow has no blessing because it is void of repentance. Our prisons house many who are sorry they were caught but who are not sorry for their sin. If given another chance, they would do the same thing again, as is evidenced by the alarming number of repeat offenders. Theirs is a sorrow that leads not to happiness but to misery.
B. Sorrow because of failing in a sinful scheme. The Bible warns us that "He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made" (Ps. 7:15 NIV) and that "[God] catches the wise in their craftiness" (1 Cor. 3:19 NIV). For example, a man wrecked his car and its frame is bent. He has the body repaired and painted and then attempts to sell it without telling the prospective buyer the whole truth. Liking the car, the buyer takes it for a test drive and has a mechanic friend look it over. To his trained eye the bent frame is obvious. The buyer returns the damaged vehicle and the sale falls through. The owner is sorry but only because he failed in his scheme to deceive another. This same type of sorrow may result from failure to destroy another’s reputation or failure to be accepted as more than we know ourselves to be.
C. Sorrow because of the consequence suffered. Sorrow for consequences rather than for sin leads to misery. Simon the sorcerer thought Peter and John had magic more powerful than any he knew about, so he offered them money and said, "’Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ Peter answered: ’May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.’ Then Simon answered, ’Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me"’ (Acts 8:19-24 NIV). Simon did not seem to be sorry for his sin but rather asked Peter to pray so its consequences might be removed.
There is sorrow that leads to misery because of the consequence suffered. But the sorrow of which Jesus speaks in the second beatitude is quite different, for it is sorrow that leads to happiness.
II. Sorrow that leads to happiness.
In contrast to the world’s sorrow that brings death, Paul recommends "godly sorrow [that] brings repentance that leads to salvation" (2 Cor. 7:10).
A. Sorrow that is born of conviction. Phillips’s translation of 2 Corinthians 7:8 stresses the right kind of sorrow: "I can see that the letter did upset you, though only for a time, and now I am glad I sent it, not because I want to hurt you but because it made you grieve for things that were wrong." The Corinthians’ sorrow eventually led to happiness because it was born of conviction. Edward Hastings interprets the beatitude, "Blessed are they who are ashamed of themselves, of their shabbiness in character, their meanness of conduct."
Sorrow for sin is not a symptom of a sick soul; it is evidence of returning health. People who are deeply convicted of their sin will come to the Savior as instinctively as sick people will go to a doctor. This type of sorrow leads to happiness.
B. Sorrow that is expressed. Sorrow that leads to happiness inevitably expresses itself. It cannot be contained! The word used for "to mourn" is the strongest such word in the Greek language. Often it is used for mourning for the dead. It is the sort of grief that so intensely grips a person that it cannot be concealed. It brings not only heartache and tears but also confession and a changed life.
1. Through confession. David’s return to purity and thus happiness began with his confession: "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight" (Ps. 51:3-4 NIV).
2. Through a changed life. "The sorrow which God uses means a change of heart and leads to salvation" (2 Cor. 7:10 PHILLIPS). People are really changed when they suddenly come up against something that opens their eyes to what sin is and to what sin does. A boy may go his own way and never think of effects or consequences. Then one day he may see a friend destroyed by drugs, alcohol, or immorality. Suddenly he sees sin for what it is and experiences cutting sorrow for his own sin, which is expressed through a changed life.
C. Sorrow that is blessed. Jesus said "Blessed are they that mourn." Here the word has a dual meaning. It means "blessed" and "happy." Four blessings result from sorrow that leads to happiness.
1. Forgiveness of sin. First John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." No people who mourn over their sins can know the comfort that is promised until their sins are forgiven. So long as the burden and guilt of sin rests heavily on them, they cannot be comforted. It is when they experience the loving forgiveness of Christ that comfort and the "peace that passes all understanding" become theirs.
2. Restoration of fellowship. First John 1:7 says, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
David’s lust led to murder, which in turn led to falsehood and estrangement from God. Following Nathan’s accusation, David became deeply convicted of his sin. His personal anguish is recorded in Psalm 51. Then he prayed for the restoration of fellowship: "Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me" (v.12 NIV). His sorrow led to confession, which led to forgiveness, which led to restoration of fellowship with God.
3. Strengthening of character. "How happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort" (Matt. 5:4 PHILLIPS). Sorrow can have a godly reference. God can turn sickness and sorrow into good. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28 NIV).
God uses sorrow to build character and thus to bring happiness. You cannot reverse the beatitude to say, "Blessed are they who never mourn. Blessed are they who are always lighthearted and never serious." If there were no suffering or sorrow, there would be no sympathy.
4. God’s comfort. Jesus said that those who mourn "shall be comforted." Hastings said the word comfort is suggestive of bracing rather than soothing. It speaks of strength that comes from companionship with God. Jesus assured us here, out of his knowledge of life and his rich experience of the human heart, that only those who enter fully into the depths of life-their own and others-are truly blessed. Only those who enter into the abundance of God’s life receive the blessing of divine comfort.
CONCLUSION
On the Pennsylvania Railroad during the early 1900s two trains collided, killing several people. It was determined that the surviving engineer was responsible for the accident. He was questioned repeatedly, and the entire experience became too much for him to handle. Eventually he was driven into a psychotic state and could hardly carry on an intelligent conversation.
The president of the railroad, Mr. Atterbury, asked to meet with the engineer, who apprehensively came to the president’s office.
Mr. Atterbury placed his arm around the engineer’s shoulders and said, "Old man, we have had a streak of bad luck, haven’t we?" For some time the president and the engineer stood together weeping.
Then Mr. Atterbury said, "One thing I want you to remember as long as you work for us is that whenever any employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad is troubled, I am troubled too."
Soon the old engineer began to speak and think clearly. Because his boss cared enough to grieve with him, he was healed.
All around us are faultfinders on the prowl to heap guilt and blame on others. But you and I can join the blessed minority who care and are willing to mourn even with those who are to blame. When we become such mourners we will both comfort and be comforted.
