Those in mourning (Matt 5:4)

Matthew 5:4  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

Right after remembering the poor, Jesus remembers those who are experiencing sorrow.  He leaves it wide open as to what kind of sorrow... so we can assume that this statement encompasses every kind of grief imaginable.  And one thing is clear, Jesus hurts when we hurt.  Remember how he cried when he saw the sorrow on Mary's face after her brother Lazarus died?

There is another side to this coin too...  when we follow Jesus, our hearts will break for the things that Jesus' heart breaks over.  We will have sorrow simply because we follow Jesus into places where people need help.  But in his kingdom, we will also find comfort.  Peace that passes understanding.  And even more so... we will comfort others.

Whenever God blesses us, he expects us to share that blessing with others.  So if you have been comforted - and Jesus will send comfort to all of us if we let him - it is your responsibility to offer comfort to others - thus spreading the goodness of the kingdom of God.  Who needs comfort today?  Offer it.

My friend told me a story about his wife.  His mother went out of her way to be abusive to his wife.  This went on for ten or fifteen years when one day his father died.  He said his wife put away all those years of hurt and comforted his mother.  He said it was a profound moment when his wife stepped off the elevator at the hospital and hugged his mother.  She didn't deserve it.  But it didn't matter.  His wife was being the hands and feet of Jesus offering comfort to someone who didn't deserve it.  We are most like Christ when we offer his blessings to others who don't deserve it.

Be like Jesus today!