blessed are those who mourn

matthew 5.4

"blessed are those who mourn..."

mourn over sin: see his purity: see own filth

• ii cor 7.9-11: sorrow leading to repentance: inspire and challenge, motivate to change
• sorrow of the world: fear of being caught
• sorrow of God: heart change

two pictures of sorrow

1. peter: offended Christ by betrayal: wept bitterly, repented before Christ
2. judas: offended Christ by betrayal: stricken by guilt, hanged himself

"...for they shall be comforted"

• pain hollows out a place for God's comfort, a need for Him (isa 61.1-3)

isa 61

• v2 - to comfort all those who mourn...
• v3 - so that He may be glorified(!)

so what?!

• repent: God's comfort is forgiveness of sin: you can't do it
• mourn - comfort - comfort others (ii cor 1.3-5)
• comfort is the real solution, not "consoling," but forgiving