TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
Read: Matthew 5:4
Listen: Matthew 5
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus saying, “blessed are those who mourn,” sounds totally backward. Over this previous year, we understand what it means to mourn. This past year has been filled with much loss. People were laid off jobs, closed businesses, canceled weddings and lost loved ones to COVID 19. Many of us are still mourning and it doesn’t feel like a blessing.
It’s clear from Scripture that all mourning is the result of sin, (the act of turning away from God in thoughts or actions). When Adam and Eve turned away from God, sin entered the world and death with it (Romans 5:12). Sin hurts people, destroys things and damages the heart. Collectively it causes poverty, racism, war and death. When we mourn, we mourn because of sin. God blesses us when we recognize that.
Jesus willingly laid down his life for all sin (1 Peter 3:18). He says the steps toward life with God are acknowledging, “I bring nothing,” and then admitting our own sin by saying, “I’m sorry.” Jesus went to the cross to pay for every wrong thought we’ve had, word we’ve said and thing we’ve done. A big part of God’s blessing is in knowing we don’t have to be stuck mourning sin. Jesus took care of it.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Take some time to mourn your sin. One powerful way to do this is by using the examples from the Bible, like David’s words, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” Psalm 51:17. Open your Bible to Psalm 51 and use it as a guide to pour out your heart, express your sorrow, and thank God for his forgiveness.
* Correction: Beyond the Weekend July 7 stated the first beatitude was the only one in the present tense. However, both the first and last beatitude finish with the same present tense phrase.
NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN
Join us this year as we read through the New Testament.
Today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 1.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
