“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (ESV)

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (NIV)

Jesus is introducing this marvelous kingdom, one that is upside-down from what we think and know earthly kingdoms ought to look like. These beautiful blessings set the foundation for this ‘Upside Down’ kingdom Jesus brings to earth. 

Among these blessings are grand rewards: kingdoms, inheritance, and sonship. But there’s one blessing that seems out of place. Verse 4 remains peculiarly…simple: comfort. 

Why is this here? 

Grief and lament were actually built into the spiritual life of the Jews. However, it was often met with disappointment rather than comfort. Their nation was oppressed, their people were heavily taxed, their leaders were unjust… comfort was a fleeting thing among the Israelite people. 

This is not so in the Kingdom of God. Rather, Jesus makes comfort a promise. It's here that we receive one of the most beautiful truths in all of scripture: for those who belong in the Kingdom of God, mourning is ALWAYS met with comfort.

A few years back, I witnessed a fatal shooting at my church. Not only did I attend to the bodies that night, but also to each of the funerals that took place in the weeks following. My grief was overwhelming; mourning overtook me. 

I felt confusion, pain, uncertainty, anxiety… but there was one thing that held me. There was one constant that gave me hope: profound comfort. 
My mourning overtook me…but comfort overtook it.

I can’t tell you how many times I laid on my floor crying out to God. It was in these moments that I didn’t get the blessing of clarity or the blessing of happiness; rather, I got God Himself. The blessing of the Great Comforter. The one who is near to the brokenhearted. (Psalm 34:18)

My friend, I hope you remember that in your mourning, comfort is coming. You are blessed because you get God Himself. He is close beside you. His comfort is a blessing we are promised in Christ. 

Whether you are mourning or you know someone who is, I leave you with this:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Written By Garrett Belzer