Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

I suppose I expected to read “Blessed are those who believe that everything will turn out well.”  It sounds strange to hear a statement like this – “Blessed are those who mourn.” Mourning people do not attract me very much.  I like to be around happy people for whom all things seem to be working just fine.  Perhaps they feel no need for the Lord. But at least they appear happy.

So, what is Jesus saying here?  Is it something like this?  They who mourn are feeling a loss.  So a feeling of mourning is an open door through which the Lord can enter our lives, to comfort us – not to answer all our questions but to let us know that Jesus loves us and will never leave us.  That is the greatest comfort. It is the comfort of faith which trusts Jesus completely.  That is rest because Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. We feel his love and are comforted in soul.

So, I say slowly and with the greatest assurance, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”  That includes me.