Ready:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
Set:
We all know of—or maybe have been part of—teams that have not had a winning record in a long time. Often the issue is not a lack of talent. Instead, the problem is that team members become so used to losing that it doesn’t bother them anymore. They lack the gut-level discontent with losing that’s needed to compel them to embrace the uncomfortable changes needed so that they can win.
Jesus speaks to a similar issue in all of us. In His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus begins by pointing to qualities of those who are blessed by God—that is, those who experience the grace and favor that come with living under His reign as their King. In Matthew 5:4, Jesus says that God blesses those who mourn. Why?
In this context, mourning does not refer to grief over the loss of a loved one. This grieving is the product of God’s loving reign taking hold in us. The more we see and experience the goodness and glory of God’s righteous rule, the more we’re confronted with how destructive our sin against God is. We’re increasingly disturbed by how sin damages God’s good intent for our lives and our world.
The problem, though, is that we can be like athletes in a perennially unsuccessful program who get so used to losing that it doesn’t bother them anymore. When we get used to sin, we become numb to its destructive impact. What needs to happen instead? According to Jesus, living under God’s reign compels us to mourn over ongoing sin. This stirs in us a gut-level discontent with sin and a deep desire instead for the character and values of our King. This discontent moves us to embrace the changes Jesus wants to bring about in us even as these changes are uncomfortable and stretching.
Jesus promises that as we mourn over the brokenness caused by sin, we will be comforted. We will experience His forgiveness and grace. While being bothered by sin’s destructiveness, we’re also able to rest in the work Jesus is doing in our sin-marred lives and world. This fills us with hope in Him.
Just as you never want to be unbothered by losing, don’t allow yourself to be undisturbed by anything less than God’s good design for your life. Mourn sin and its destructiveness. Hunger for more of King Jesus’ reign in you.
Go:
In what areas have you become unbothered by sin rather than mourning its destructive effects on you and others?
How is Jesus growing your discontent with sin and your hunger for growth in His character and values?
Workout:
Overtime:
“Lord, please continue to transform my heart so that I would mourn my sin and hunger for more of You. Thank You for your forgiveness and grace. Reign over my thoughts, words, and actions. Amen.”