“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
LANGUAGE
(From yesterday) My Bible app (Olive Tree) offers translation of words in the original language. I like this feature, as translators have to make a choice of how to translate a Greek word, and sometimes their choice may not convey the best or clearest meaning. Now I know that they know much more about the translation of the Bible than I do, but since they do not always even agree with one another, I like having this information.
The word translated "Blessed" in verse 3, can also be thought of as "fortunate," "well off," or "happy." In fact, this same Greek word is translated as Happy or Happier 6 times in the New Testament.
The word "mourn" can also be translated as "grieve."
The word "comfort" carries the idea of inviting, drawing near. This word is sometimes translated "pray."
COMMENTS
Grief is a feeling we often would like to avoid. Sometimes we stuff feelings we want to avoid and throw ourselves into other tasks. This keeping busy is not completely unhealthy, but not dealing with feelings can be. From what I can tell, the Jews were good mourners, sometimes even hiring professional mourners for their funerals.
According to the verse, with grieving we can have comfort. But what is Jesus suggesting we grieve over? A death? Perhaps. Maybe the death of a loved one. Maybe more. Maybe in whatever we grieve, we can find comfort as we draw near to God. Grieving over a lost job, the fate of a loved one, or even just the uncertainty of daily life. So many things to grieve over, at times it can be quite overwhelming.
Remember, the word "blessed" can be rendered as "happy." I like John Piper's idea of Christian Hedonism. Hedonism being the pursuit of joy (happiness), Christian Hedonism being pursuing our joy in our relationship with God. Not happy giddy, but the joy in knowing that whatever our circumstance, God draws us near to Him. Knowing that whatever is happening, God is present and in control. I think happiness fades, but we can have joy in the midst of even great difficulty.
COMMENTS
Grief is a feeling we often would like to avoid. Sometimes we stuff feelings we want to avoid and throw ourselves into other tasks. This keeping busy is not completely unhealthy, but not dealing with feelings can be. From what I can tell, the Jews were good mourners, sometimes even hiring professional mourners for their funerals.
According to the verse, with grieving we can have comfort. But what is Jesus suggesting we grieve over? A death? Perhaps. Maybe the death of a loved one. Maybe more. Maybe in whatever we grieve, we can find comfort as we draw near to God. Grieving over a lost job, the fate of a loved one, or even just the uncertainty of daily life. So many things to grieve over, at times it can be quite overwhelming.
Remember, the word "blessed" can be rendered as "happy." I like John Piper's idea of Christian Hedonism. Hedonism being the pursuit of joy (happiness), Christian Hedonism being pursuing our joy in our relationship with God. Not happy giddy, but the joy in knowing that whatever our circumstance, God draws us near to Him. Knowing that whatever is happening, God is present and in control. I think happiness fades, but we can have joy in the midst of even great difficulty.
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