Mourn, 12 January 2025
12 01 25 Filed in: Sermons | Blessed: The Beatitudes
Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 12, 2025
Matthew 5:4
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: We are blessed and comforted when we mourn and mourn with others.
Life is full of loss. It might be a job, your health, or your marriage. Take a moment to think about your greatest loss. I know—it’s not the most uplifting way to begin today! But really, what is your greatest loss? An athlete might think of a championship they nearly won. A child might recall the death of a beloved pet. For others, it could be the loss of a spouse, a child, or even one’s memory. In California, it might be a house. Loss is universal. And unless it involves weight, we’re usually not fond of loss.
As we continue our series on the Beatitudes, Blessed, we’re going to explore what Jesus said about loss and grief. It’s a weighty subject, yet Jesus offers hope and encouragement for those who mourn. Perhaps this is exactly what you need to hear today.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4, NIV)
This world is undeniably broken. Although God created a beautiful universe for us to enjoy, humanity’s pride, rebellion, and sin have marred it, leaving us with a world full of problems.
How do we respond to loss? Some of us were taught, “Big boys don’t cry.” Some cultures bury emotions in silence, while others openly weep and wail.
When I think of wailing, I’m reminded of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, also called the Western Wall. It’s the only remaining part of the Jewish Temple, destroyed in 70 AD, and is the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray. It’s called the Wailing Wall because of the lamentations over the Temple’s destruction. More than a million prayers, written on slips of paper, are placed into its crevices each year—a poignant image of grief and hope intertwined.
Grieving is essential to life. The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us:
"There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)
Talking about grief, mourning, and loss can make us uncomfortable. Yet, Jesus calls those who mourn “blessed.” How can this make sense? Last week, we discussed the Greek word makarios, meaning “happy, fortunate, well-off, supremely blest.” It seems paradoxical. Imagine walking into a funeral home and telling the grieving families they are blessed. It feels counterintuitive.
But here’s the truth: blessing is not about ease or pleasure. It’s about experiencing God’s presence and favor. Sometimes, God allows us to lose what we hold dear—not to punish us, but to draw us closer to Him. These moments remind us that when God is all we have, we realize He is all we need.
Loss is painful. It leaves scars that often never fully heal. Yet, even in loss, we can experience the presence and favor of God. The psalmist declares:
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
That sounds so sweet, doesn’t it? What poet wrote those words? They were probably sitting in a meadow on a sunny, spring afternoon trying to encourage a suffering friend, right? Hardly! This is the writing of David while he was being hunted by King Saul!
Psalm 34 is a powerful song of God’s deliverance in the midst of agony. The verse before eighteen says,
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
Perhaps most remarkable of all is how the psalm begins:
I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:1-4)
Remember, this is from a man fleeing for his life! David realized despite his problematic circumstance, God was present and worthy of worship. This is one reason we sing at funerals. We are to remember He remains worthy. We might not understand, but by faith we can trust He has a plan.
Another psalm declares,
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
This is a promise, church family. I know there are moments where it might not feel like God is present, but He is with us…always…but especially when we call upon Him, when we cry out and admit we need help.
Eugene Peterson paraphrased Jesus’ words beautifully in The Message:
"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." (Matthew 5:4, The Message)
Jesus promises comfort for those who mourn. The word translated “comforted” is parakaleo, closely related to parakletos, the term Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit—our Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter.
While I can’t imagine anything better than being in the presence of Jesus himself, he told his disciples,
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
We recently celebrated Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus walked our planet for about 33 years, but when he ascended into heaven, he didn’t leave us high and dry. He sent the Holy Spirit in the second chapter of Acts, and the Holy Spirit is living inside every follower of Jesus. When we mourn, we open our hearts to the Comforter’s work in our lives. God meets us in our pain, often through His Spirit, and sometimes through His people.
Paul writes in Romans:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15)
Loving well means entering into the joy and pain of others. Mourning with others can feel awkward, leaving us unsure of what to say or do. Often, the best gift we can offer is our presence. Silence can be golden. We are to mourn with those who mourn, not necessarily advise them! Remember Job’s friends? When they tried to explain his suffering, they only added to his pain. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Simply being present—a hug, a card, or a kind gesture—can bring deep healing.
Jewish tradition embraces this beautifully through sitting shiva, a seven-day mourning period after a burial. Loved ones sit together, sharing memories and grief. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of community in times of sorrow.
Family, we need one another. We need to mourn with one another, rejoice with one another, pray for one another, and perhaps most of all be present for one another. Jesus came as Emmanuel—God with us—and when we are present for others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus. We are Jesus with skin on! What a blessing!
Mourning Our Sin
There’s another kind of mourning we must not overlook—mourning over our sins. We all sin. We harm others, rebel against God, and create idols in our lives.
When was the last time you truly grieved over your sin? Mourning our sin brings us to repentance and restoration, allowing God’s peace and comfort to heal our hearts.
Communion reminds us of this truth. Each time we partake, we remember our sin, Christ’s sacrifice, and His amazing grace. Mourning our sin draws us closer to God and helps us seek His righteousness.
A New Hope
If you’re mourning today, I want to fix it for you. I wish I could restore what you’ve lost—a job, a relationship, or a loved one. While I can’t, I can remind you that God never wastes anything.
Grieve deeply. Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen you. Let others support you. Healing takes time, but you are never alone. God is with you, and your church family is here for you.
One day, all mourning will cease.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Amen.
Credits: Some ideas from The Beatitudes Project.
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
January 12, 2025
Matthew 5:4
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: We are blessed and comforted when we mourn and mourn with others.
Life is full of loss. It might be a job, your health, or your marriage. Take a moment to think about your greatest loss. I know—it’s not the most uplifting way to begin today! But really, what is your greatest loss? An athlete might think of a championship they nearly won. A child might recall the death of a beloved pet. For others, it could be the loss of a spouse, a child, or even one’s memory. In California, it might be a house. Loss is universal. And unless it involves weight, we’re usually not fond of loss.
As we continue our series on the Beatitudes, Blessed, we’re going to explore what Jesus said about loss and grief. It’s a weighty subject, yet Jesus offers hope and encouragement for those who mourn. Perhaps this is exactly what you need to hear today.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4, NIV)
This world is undeniably broken. Although God created a beautiful universe for us to enjoy, humanity’s pride, rebellion, and sin have marred it, leaving us with a world full of problems.
How do we respond to loss? Some of us were taught, “Big boys don’t cry.” Some cultures bury emotions in silence, while others openly weep and wail.
When I think of wailing, I’m reminded of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, also called the Western Wall. It’s the only remaining part of the Jewish Temple, destroyed in 70 AD, and is the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray. It’s called the Wailing Wall because of the lamentations over the Temple’s destruction. More than a million prayers, written on slips of paper, are placed into its crevices each year—a poignant image of grief and hope intertwined.
Grieving is essential to life. The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us:
"There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4)
Talking about grief, mourning, and loss can make us uncomfortable. Yet, Jesus calls those who mourn “blessed.” How can this make sense? Last week, we discussed the Greek word makarios, meaning “happy, fortunate, well-off, supremely blest.” It seems paradoxical. Imagine walking into a funeral home and telling the grieving families they are blessed. It feels counterintuitive.
But here’s the truth: blessing is not about ease or pleasure. It’s about experiencing God’s presence and favor. Sometimes, God allows us to lose what we hold dear—not to punish us, but to draw us closer to Him. These moments remind us that when God is all we have, we realize He is all we need.
Loss is painful. It leaves scars that often never fully heal. Yet, even in loss, we can experience the presence and favor of God. The psalmist declares:
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
That sounds so sweet, doesn’t it? What poet wrote those words? They were probably sitting in a meadow on a sunny, spring afternoon trying to encourage a suffering friend, right? Hardly! This is the writing of David while he was being hunted by King Saul!
Psalm 34 is a powerful song of God’s deliverance in the midst of agony. The verse before eighteen says,
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
Perhaps most remarkable of all is how the psalm begins:
I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:1-4)
Remember, this is from a man fleeing for his life! David realized despite his problematic circumstance, God was present and worthy of worship. This is one reason we sing at funerals. We are to remember He remains worthy. We might not understand, but by faith we can trust He has a plan.
Another psalm declares,
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).
This is a promise, church family. I know there are moments where it might not feel like God is present, but He is with us…always…but especially when we call upon Him, when we cry out and admit we need help.
Eugene Peterson paraphrased Jesus’ words beautifully in The Message:
"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." (Matthew 5:4, The Message)
Jesus promises comfort for those who mourn. The word translated “comforted” is parakaleo, closely related to parakletos, the term Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit—our Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter.
While I can’t imagine anything better than being in the presence of Jesus himself, he told his disciples,
But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:7)
We recently celebrated Emmanuel, God with us. Jesus walked our planet for about 33 years, but when he ascended into heaven, he didn’t leave us high and dry. He sent the Holy Spirit in the second chapter of Acts, and the Holy Spirit is living inside every follower of Jesus. When we mourn, we open our hearts to the Comforter’s work in our lives. God meets us in our pain, often through His Spirit, and sometimes through His people.
Paul writes in Romans:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15)
Loving well means entering into the joy and pain of others. Mourning with others can feel awkward, leaving us unsure of what to say or do. Often, the best gift we can offer is our presence. Silence can be golden. We are to mourn with those who mourn, not necessarily advise them! Remember Job’s friends? When they tried to explain his suffering, they only added to his pain. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Simply being present—a hug, a card, or a kind gesture—can bring deep healing.
Jewish tradition embraces this beautifully through sitting shiva, a seven-day mourning period after a burial. Loved ones sit together, sharing memories and grief. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of community in times of sorrow.
Family, we need one another. We need to mourn with one another, rejoice with one another, pray for one another, and perhaps most of all be present for one another. Jesus came as Emmanuel—God with us—and when we are present for others, we become the hands and feet of Jesus. We are Jesus with skin on! What a blessing!
Mourning Our Sin
There’s another kind of mourning we must not overlook—mourning over our sins. We all sin. We harm others, rebel against God, and create idols in our lives.
When was the last time you truly grieved over your sin? Mourning our sin brings us to repentance and restoration, allowing God’s peace and comfort to heal our hearts.
Communion reminds us of this truth. Each time we partake, we remember our sin, Christ’s sacrifice, and His amazing grace. Mourning our sin draws us closer to God and helps us seek His righteousness.
A New Hope
If you’re mourning today, I want to fix it for you. I wish I could restore what you’ve lost—a job, a relationship, or a loved one. While I can’t, I can remind you that God never wastes anything.
Grieve deeply. Allow the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen you. Let others support you. Healing takes time, but you are never alone. God is with you, and your church family is here for you.
One day, all mourning will cease.
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Amen.
Credits: Some ideas from The Beatitudes Project.