The Sermon On the Mount

Matthew, Chapter 5

Part II

 

Matthew 5:4-5) Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Regarding “mourn,”

“This is capable of two meanings: either, that those are blessed who are afflicted with the loss of friends or possessions, or that they who mourn over sin are blessed. As Christ came to preach repentance, to induce people to mourn over their sins and to forsake them, it is probable that he had the latter particularly in view” [Barnes].

“That is, those who, feeling their spiritual poverty, mourn after God, lamenting the iniquity that separated them from the fountain of blessedness” [Clarke].

“It is the sorrow which one experiences because of fellowship with the Lord Jesus. It is an active sharing of the world’s hurt and sin with Jesus. Therefore, it includes, not only sorrow for one’s own sin, but also sorrow because of the world’s appalling condition, it’s rejection of the Savior, and the doom of those who refuse His mercy” [BBC].

(MSG)  “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

NOTE: In a natural state of mourning, grieving as a result of losing a loved one, we are often seeking after God, trying to understand. In a spiritual state of mourning, broken as a result of our sins, our inabilities, our weaknesses, we are always seeking after God, looking for His forgiveness, His direction, etc.

 

5) Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Concerning “meek,”

“Meekness is patience in the reception of injuries. It is neither meanness nor a surrender of our rights, nor cowardice; but it is the opposite of sudden anger, of malice, of long-harbored vengeance” [Barnes].

“Our word meek comes from the old Anglo-saxon meca, or meccea, a companion or equal, because he who is of a meek or gentle spirit, is ever ready to associate with the meanest of those who fear God, feeling himself superior to none; and well knowing that he has nothing of spiritual or temporal good but what he has received from the mere bounty of God, having never deserved any favor from his hand” [Clarke].

“In the vocabulary of the ancient Greek language, the meek person was not passive or easily pushed around. The main idea behind the word “meek” was strength under control, like a strong stallion that was trained to do the job instead of running wild” [Guzik].

Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

2Timothy 2:24-26) (CEV) and God’s servants must not be troublemakers. They must be kind to everyone, and they must be good teachers and very patient.

25) Be humble when you correct people who oppose you. Maybe God will lead them to turn to him and learn the truth.

26) They have been trapped by the devil, and he makes them obey him, but God may help them escape.

Matthew 11:28-30) Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30) For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.