Good Mourning!

In my last blog, "Are You a Blessed Wretch?" I noted that when we get a correct view of Jesus we can realize our spiritual poverty, and in doing so can become inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven. Spiritual life starts with spiritual poverty.

Jesus then said, "Blessed [Oh, how fortunate!] are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

What does that mean? There is a good and a bad sorrow. Paul, in 2 Corinthians 7:10 states, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." Two kinds of sorrow. Godly sorrow drives me to Jesus, ungodly sorrow drives me away.

First of all, let me say that grieving over tragic events in one's life is normal and can be a healthy process. Like breaking a bone; it hurts at first but can heal! We should go through the valley, not live there.

What might be some examples of godly sorrow? Mourning for my sin. The notion that my sin was a part of the reason Jesus died on the cross. That I lose fellowship with God and others. Seeing the depth of sin in my own heart and it grieves me terribly.

Mourning for the sin of others. Being grieved when you see someone do something that you know will hurt them. Being a parent is probably the closest we can come to understanding this sort of sorrow. Love-driven grief. Aching for others. Have you ever wept for the lost? Too many people die every day without Jesus. This is horrible! God grieves over this loss. "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; ..." (Ezekiel 33:11a) God aches for lost humanity.

Ungodly sorrow drives us away from God and others. We may drink or take drugs or become irritable or say and do horrible things because we cannot face that greater pain inside of us. "Go away!", we may say. At the end of the day unhealthy mourning is all about me. My pain, my grief, and my refusal to let it go.

Isaiah 53:3b states, "He is ... a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief". Do you have pain hidden deep within you? Understand that not only does Jesus 'get' your pain but that there are many others right around you who do as well. Grieve when you must but remember to let Jesus comfort you, and please ask for help if needed. Jesus asks quietly, "How are you?"

Paul, at the end of his life states in Philippians 3:10 three things he wants, one of which is "... the fellowship of his sufferings". Say what?!?! God's love drives one to the pain, not away from it. This is not some sort of squishy, easy, self-centered version of Christianity. This is the real deal, where we hurt for others and rejoice that God has given us the opportunity to participate in their healing while participating in their pain. "..who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross," (Hebrews 12:2) Think about it.

What a thrill! I can participate, with Jesus, not only in His grief over my sin and yours but also in His love for the sinner. This sort of grief combined with His love drives me to reach out to others. This is the great and true and only real motivator for evangelism and the ministry. Will you choose to hurt for others? Jesus did - and does.