Journey to the Cross - Blessed Are Those that Mourn

Have you ever mourned? To mourn is to express grief or sorrow. Have you wailed until you thought there were no tears left? Did you wonder if your pain would ever stop? Has your body ached in response to your mourning? Could everyone see the expression of grief in your face?

Today’s devotion is about the comfort we can receive through mourning. The second Beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount says, Blessed are those that mourn. The promise is that God will comfort us.

Morning Meditation

Read Matthew 5:4.

Matt 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. KJV

• Remember your times of mourning. Allow yourself to revisit the pain.
• If you have been fighting mourning, surrender to it.
• Let God comfort you.

Morning Prayer

• If you’re in mourning, claim the promise of comfort.
• If you’ve received comfort from God, thank Him.
• If you’ve lost something or someone important but have been avoiding mourning, ask God to help you express your grief and claim your promise.
• Tell God your joys, fears, and needs. Praise Him in everything.
• Pray for knowledge of God’s will for you today and the power to carry that out.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures you are about to read.

Morning Bible Study

There was a time in my life when I thought that with enough faith, people could avoid the darkness of mourning. Then, I lost a son. I found out that grief isn’t a sin. It’s a useful emotion created by God and talked about in the Bible. It’s a process that has stages. If grief didn’t hurt so much, it would be interesting.

Compare and contrast the differing translations and paraphrases of Matthew 5:4.
Matt 5:4
Blessed and enviably happy [with a happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace] are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted! AMP

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. The Message

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. NLT

Happy the mourning -- because they shall be comforted. YLT

• What is the difference in these translations and paraphrases?
• What do you think it means to be blessed?
• What is the promise to those in mourning?

Jesus often quoted scripture when He preached. Perhaps in Matthew 5:3-4, He was quoting prophesy from Isaiah 61:1-2.

Isa 61:1-2
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, NIV

• Think about the first beatitude, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” To whom is the good news in Isaiah 61:1?
• For what purposes is the anointing?
• What is the promise at the end?
• What do you think this scripture is prophesying?

If people live long enough, chances are they will have a turn at mourning. Many try to avoid it. When it is our turn to mourn, mourning is healthy. If we refuse to mourn, we won’t find the comfort we crave. There is an appointed time for everything and as much as we’d like, we refusing these dreary appointments aren't healthy.

Read Ecclesiastics 3:1-4.
Eccl 3:1-4
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven — A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. NASU

• What comes after a time to weep?
• What comes after mourning?

Read the promise contained in Jeremiah 3:13-14.
Jer 31:13-14
“For I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow. I will fill the soul of the priests with abundance, And My people will be satisfied with My goodness," declares the LORD. NASU

• What is the promise?
• What will satisfy us?

The ancient King David struggled with enemies throughout his life. People he loved betrayed him and broke his heart. Always, he turned to God crying out his pain and then his relief. Read Psalms 30:11-12.

Ps 30:11-12
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. NASU

• What happened to David after his time of mourning?
• To whom does he give the credit?
• What does David do in celebration?

Without mourning, there would be no joy. Let us take our turn and mourn when necessary, always hanging on to the promise that God will turn our mourning into dancing.

Application

Terry never seemed happy. She sought answers through therapy, 12 Step Programs, and church. “I don’t know what’s wrong,” she confided. “It seems like I should be happy and yet I’m not.”

One night, at a retreat, a group of us women began having one of those femininely typical philosophical late night discussions. The topic turned towards abortion. As women offered differing views, Terry grew pale and quiet. The next morning, she asked if we could talk.

We found a quiet place by the water and she shared her story. As a teenager, she had gotten pregnant. “I decided an abortion was best. It seemed easier. After the abortion, I got an infection that caused me not to be able to have children. I told myself it didn’t matter but secretly, I’ve always felt like God was punishing me. This is the first time I’ve talked to anyone about it.”

I held Terry as she sobbed. She finally grieved for her unborn child and for the children she would never have. She released her guilt and accepted God’s forgiveness. The last time I saw Terry, she was glowing. She’d married a widower and adopted his children. Her 12 Step program was finally working and she was addiction free. Therapy was no longer needed. Church became a blessing instead of a constant reminder of guilt. By surrendering to grief, God turned her mourning into dancing.

When we avoid mourning, we postpone our blessing. People try to avoid mourning many different ways, some of them deadly. For today, if it’s your turn mourn, wail and then enjoy the dance.

Journey to the Cross - Father Forgive Them

If you’ve ever been with someone who was dying, you understand that you will always remember their last words. My grandfather’s last words to me were, “Gal, you’ve got your schoolgirl figure back.” I’d just lost a lot of weight and he was proud. My son David’s last words were, “Mama, I love you.” I’ll treasure them always. As Jesus lay dying on the cross, He gave us seven distinct messages. For the next seven days, we’re going to listen to His words and try to apply them to our lives.

We will begin with forgiveness. Have you ever had to forgive someone for something that seemed unforgivable? “But they don’t deserve it!” we exclaim. Perhaps the fact that they are undeserving is exactly why we must forgive. Only through the act of offering grace can we fully experience receiving it.

Morning Meditation

Read Luke 23:33-34.



Luke 23:33-34

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. KJV



• Imagine your beloved Savior hanging on the cross. How did He feel?

• Look left and right. What was it like to be between common criminals?

• Read His forgiveness prayer above. Could you pray it for people who were torturing you.

• Bask in the knowledge that Jesus was also praying for you.

Morning Prayer

• Ask God to reveal any hidden resentments you might have against others.

• If you’re angry with anyone pray, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”

• Tell God your joys, fears, and needs. Praise Him in everything.

• Pray for knowledge of God’s will for you today and the power to carry that out.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to interpret the scriptures you are about to read.

Morning Bible Study

To forgive means to:



Excuse a fault or offense; to pardon or renounce anger or resentment against, or to absolve someone from payment.” (www.dictionary.com)



Without guilt, there’s nothing to forgive. To offer grace is to offer mercy or clemency. Jesus came to offer grace, a grace that began while He was still on the cross. When we accept this grace, we also accept a responsibility. Read part of Jesus’ model prayer - nicknamed the “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:12.



Matt 6:12

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. KJV



• What is the prayer?

• By what measure are we forgiven?



Jesus explains further in Matthew 6:14-15.



Matt 6:14-15

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. KJV



• What happens if we forgive?

• What is the penalty for not forgiving?



The disciples struggled with the concept of forgiveness. Peter, one of the more feisty disciples, wondered if there was a limit to grace.



Read Matthew 18:21-22.



Matt 18:21-22

Then came Peter to him, and said, “Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?”



Jesus saith unto him, “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” KJV



• What was Peter’s question?

• Have you ever wanted to ask that same question?

• What do you think Jesus’ response meant?



Jesus also warned about the effectiveness of our prayers if we held on to anger towards anyone. Read Mark 11:25-26.



Mark 11:25-26

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions. NASU



• What is the mandate if we pray?

• What happens if we don’t forgive.



A frustrated Paul was trying to help a dysfunctional congregation. Read his words of wisdom in 2 Corinthians 2:9-11.



2 Cor 2:9-11

The focus of my letter wasn't on punishing the offender but on getting you to take responsibility for the health of the church. So if you forgive him, I forgive him. Don't think I'm carrying around a list of personal grudges. The fact is that I'm joining in with your forgiveness, as Christ is with us, guiding us. After all, we don't want to unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief — we're not oblivious to his sly ways! THE MESSAGE



• What was he trying to get the people to do?

• Instead of taking responsibility, what were they doing?

• What does Paul warn will happen if we don’t forgive?



To resent means to re-feel. A popular definition of resentment is a re-felt emotion. If, when we talk about forgiveness, an incident immediately comes to mind, chances are, we carry resentment. Other signs of needing to forgive are being uncomfortable around someone or repeating unflattering stories. Give yourself the gift of experiencing grace by giving grace to others.

Application

After I lost my job, I struggled with forgiveness. It seemed unfair. After all, I whined to God. We’d set our goals together and I was meeting them. I was working harder than almost anyone was. I paid my salary for several years with that last contract I closed. The complaints went on and on. When I was being honest with myself, I knew what had put me on the layoff list and knew I would do the exactly same thing again. I shouldn’t have lost my job for doing what I thought was right and best for the company, I cried.



Did you get the mistaken idea that life on earth was fair? I felt God whisper. Remember the cross?



Well, life should be fair! I said indignantly.



Not wanting to give up on fairness, I proceeded to search for reasons this job loss was my fault. With my self-esteem at an all time low, a former employee invited me to spend several days in her home. I was traveling near her area on the first Pocket Full of Quarters journey so I accepted her gracious invitation. I’d never met her but she remembered me. Gently, she helped me realize what a blessing I was to the company. She also helped me face that I would never fit in that environment.



I had a dilemma. In the past, when I’d forgiven, I’d been able to take responsibility for my part. Admitting my mistakes made it easier to understand and forgive others. As silly as it sounds, I’d actually have felt better if I could have let the company off the hook by taking partial blame for the situation.



God wouldn’t let me off that easily. He wanted me to learn about grace. Jesus did nothing wrong and yet was able to forgive those who harmed Him. One night, alone in a tent, I finally prayed with relief, Father forgive them, they know not what they do. All resentment and pain were gone. I prayed for the company and the people involved as I found peace.



One day, about a year later, I shared this experience at a woman’s retreat. At the end of the retreat, a woman came forward sobbing her story. “A doctor’s mistake caused the death of my son. I’ve tried for years to get him to admit his mistake but he wouldn’t. All I wanted was an apology and I thought I couldn’t forgive him unless I got one. I’ve been angry for years, but now I’ve forgiven him. Jesus didn’t wait on an apology before He offered forgiveness from the cross and I don’t need an apology from that doctor.”



If you’re having trouble forgiving someone, I offer you a trick I’ve learned. Pray for your offender every day for 30 days. Ask for them everything you want for yourself. If you want peace, love, and happiness, ask it for them. Be faithful to the prayer. At the end of the 30 days, you’ll be able to pray with Jesus, Father forgive them. They know not what they do.