By: Lauren Thomas
“Blessed are those who mourn…” These were not some words that Jesus let flippantly fall from his lips. They were not words crafted and calculated to draw a crowd. They were words of truth that flowed from his very heart. They were words that he demonstrated in action.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Matthew 5:4 ESV
There are three specific instances in the gospels where Jesus raised a person from death. A common thread runs through all these accounts: on Earth, Jesus didn’t raise the dead on behalf of the dead, but on behalf of the living. Spiritually Jesus raises the dead and gives new life. One day at the Resurrection, believers will receive resurrected bodies.
But when Jesus walked the Earth, the physically dead were given new life for those left behind. In Luke 7:11-17, Jesus had compassion on a weeping widow walking in funeral procession for her only son. The implication of these details is that she had no one left to take care of her. Jesus understood these factors and, in his compassion, raised her dead son. This was for the widow, not the son. In Luke 8:49-56 Jesus raised a 12-year-old girl from the dead. According to verse 42, she was the only child of her parents. It wasn’t for the girl that Jesus performed this miracle, but for the aching mother and father. In John 11, Jesus raised Lazarus. We read that Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters. He didn’t raise Lazarus for Lazarus’ sake, but for his sisters who might not have had any other males in the family to provide for and protect them.
Jesus had compassion on those who mourned, to the point that he literally undid the death that caused their grieving. This shows his heart for humanity. Jesus longs to undo the hurts that his people face.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 ESV
We know that one day, he will undo all the hurts, right all the wrongs, wipe away every tear.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 ESV
Until then, we can know that in our mourning, grief, and sadness, Jesus is with us. He feels it with us. And he longs with us for the day he will wipe away our tears. Jesus has compassion on those who mourn. They one day will be comforted.
Reflection:
Do you believe Jesus’ words? Does he feel close to you in your mourning? How do you think Jesus feels about your grief?
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