Sermon Notes – Blessed are those who Mourn | February 26, 2023

Main Point: Comfort is not always found in words, many times it is found in solidarity, silence, pause, prayer, and presence.

Matthew 5: 1- 4 NIV

¹ Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.  

He said: 

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

The Power of Pause

Mourning introduces a pain that confronts you in a way 
that forever changes you.

John 11:4, 23-27 NIV

 ⁴ “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

²³ “Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” ²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 

“Jesus Wept”

John 11:32-37 NIV

³² When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” ³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” ³⁷ But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 

Jesus doesn’t rush past mourning for the miracle.

“Take away the stone”

John 11:38-44 NIV

³⁸ Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹ “Take away the stone,” he said.  “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” ⁴¹ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” ⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” 

Comfort is from the Comforter

John 14:25-27 NIV

²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.’

Conclusion:

1. The power of pause: this is our gift of presence.
2. “Jesus wept”- we offer empathy.
3. “Take away the stone”- be willing to look into a person’s life.
4. Bring comfort- invite the Holy Spirit to come.