“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”

~ Matthew 5:4

This is such a beautiful verse that reveals two simple, yet vital truths.

1) It shows that we CAN mourn. Jesus was giving the people permission to cry, to mourn, to feel sorrow. We live in a broken world; Jesus knows this better than anyone else. He’s reminding us that it is not only okay to mourn, but that we are blessed when we mourn. It takes strength to mourn, despite that people say otherwise. It takes courage and trust in Christ to let yourself acknowledge that things are not as they should be, that the world is fallen. It takes strength to feel the sadness and sorrow that we should feel in regards to sin and the effects of sin. Christ is encouraging those who mourn to take heart; He has blessed them and will bless them.

2) It shows that Christ WANTS to comfort us. Jesus doesn’t just want us to mourn forever. He wants us to mourn as we should and as we need to, but He calls also calls us to comfort. He is our greatest Comforter and Counselor. He will be there when no one else is. He went through the greatest trials and troubles that any person ever did or will, so He can be present in our suffering and sorrow as well. He promises blessing to the mourners, those grieved by sin and sorrow.

What a comfort this verse about mourning and comfort is. Thank You, Jesus, for being the Great Comforter.