Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 4

 The Beatitudes

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

they that mourn... This speaks of mourning over sin, the godly sorrow that produces repentance leading to salvation without regret (2Cor. 7:10).

shall be comforted... The “comfort” is the comfort of forgiveness and salvation. The depth of the promise of these statements is almost inexhaustible. Those who mourn for (because of sin) sin shall be comforted in confession. Those who mourn for the human anguish of the lost shall be comforted by the compassion of God.

There are two ways to look at this statement. In the physical, we mourn for our dead; and truly, we will be comforted on that great day when we meet Jesus and our loved ones in the sky. Our mourning will be turned into joy.

There is another way to look at this, as well. When we think of our sins, we are grieved, and we mourn. Our comfort comes in knowing we are forgiven.

We mourn for those out of fellowship with God. Those, whether relatives or friends, who have not made peace with God. Our praying for them do not go unnoticed. Our comfort will come, even in this life, as they come into the Church of Jesus Christ. No one likes the idea, of mourning, but when it brings us into salvation, how glorious it is!

Jesus’ sermon therefore must be understood in the context of His offer of the kingdom to Israel and the need for repentance to enter that kingdom. The sermon did not give a “Constitution” for the kingdom nor did it present the way of salvation. The sermon showed how a person who is in right relationship with God should conduct his life. While the passage must be understood in the light of the offer of the messianic kingdom, the sermon applies to Jesus’ followers today for it demonstrates the standard of righteousness God demands of His people.