Anyone who has lost a beloved parent, child, sibling or friend knows the pain that is associated with this event. It can be gut wrenching and almost unbearable. Not to have that person around anymore, to be reminded of them at birthdays, Christmas and family gatherings, can be very painful.
Was this the type of thing that Jesus was talking about when he said "Blessed are those that mourn?"
What if he was talking about our sins, saying blessed are those that mourn over their sins? Do we feel this same kind of pain when we confess our sins? When we are told to go and sin no more?
Have we felt that gut wrenching experience when we have mourned over our sins and finally handed them over to God? The woman who was almost definitely going to stoned for adultery (John 8:4-8) by those around her received forgiveness from Jesus. She knew that she had been saved, she mourned for her sin, and experienced deep grief for it. By taking responsibility for it, and accepting forgiveness I believe she went on to lead a good life afterwards. Blessed are those that mourn.
It takes great humility to mourn over our sins and to ask for forgiveness and healing. But the rewards are a hundred fold. Paul knew this when the scales fell off his eyes and he could see again. He regretted his sins and became an apostle of Christ. (Acts 9:17-18) With the conversion of Paul, Christ was able to use him to bring others into the light. (Acts 9:21-22) Seeing Paul's deep grief for what he had done, others were brave enough to follow. He was the epitome of a person who knew that only through Christ all things were possible if we confess our sins and move on to do God's will. Blessed are those that mourn over their sins.
For they shall be comforted. God's comfort releases us from the state of sin when we confess it. How often have you felt that relief of feeling unburdened, of making peace with God. Not only does he comfort you, if you allow him, he will heal you too. He will breakthrough the chains that bind you to that sin. He will exorcise you from the effects it has had on your everyday life, so that you can walk away and sin no more. That freedom is however a responsibility because He will ask you to be merciful and to bring the message of forgiveness to others. He will use you to instruct others to mourn for their sins and turn to Him for liberty. We shall be asked to become His hands of comfort through the power of the Holy Spirit. He will ask us to become determined apostles like Paul and to help others find the Heart of God. With this freedom we can stand justified before God. (2 Corinthians 5:15-21)
Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Praise God.