The Mourning Meek Matthew 5:1-12

Bounds 1

Introduction
I envision the multitude soaking in the Carpenters teachings. Bearded disciples
gathering in closer, as Jesus declares kingdom principles. He continues with his paradoxical
statements. Surely, they had never heard teaching like this before.
In this sermon, we will look at verses four and five. In the physical, these statement
seem incredibly paradoxical. It will be the intent of this work to mine the deep riches of these
two verses. The principles found within each of them will greatly impact our lives, if we allow
the Spirit of God to reveal their worth to us!

Body
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
God has promised to comfort the mournful
Every living person understands what it is to mourn. We can survey the world and see all kinds
of things to mourn. How many oceans could be filled by the tears of those that have inhabited the
earth? Friedrich Neitzsche wrote, To live is to suffer (Neitzsche). Surely, all assembled here today are
acquainted with grief. The crying of a hungry baby to the rasp in the lungs of a dying loved ones; all cry
for relief and comfort!
The whole earth was affected by the fall of man. Paul writes, For we know that the whole
creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which
have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to
wit, the redemption of our body (KJV, Rom. 8:22,23). As the end draws closer these birthing pains are
more frequent.
Believers can look at the sinful condition of the society and be grieved. Strongs Concordance
says, the Greek word for mourn is pentheo. He defines this as meaning to grieve (the feeling or the
act): - mourn, (be-) wail. Certainly, we do not associate this type of activity with one that is blessed.
You must know that God has promised to comfort the mournful. This is how believers can be
blessed (or supremely happy) during a season of mourning. It not some sadistic notion of enjoying the
pain and sorrow we experience, but rather knowing God is working all things out for our good (Rom.
8:28). The promise of comfort is the avenue in which blessedness arrives to those that suffer grief.
King David wrote, For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure
for a night, but joy *cometh+ in the morning (KJV, Psa. 30:5). We as believers have a hope of God
comforting us amidst our trials and tribulations. Looking to God for comfort and knowing it will come,
brings the blessedness Jesus spoke of in this verse.

The Mourning Meek Matthew 5:1-12

Bounds 2
Sinners can be comforted too

Sinners can be comforted by God too! David Guzik comments, This mourning is the godly
sorrow that produces repentance to salvation that Paul described in 2 Corinthians 7:10 (Guzik). Godly
sorrow leads to repentance. God will not turn a repentance sinner away! The Bible states, The LORD is
nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit (KJV, Ps.34:18).
How does this apply?
How does this apply to us? If you are a believer, you can be assured that God sees your pain. He
has bottled every tear you have cried. He is familiar with your pain. The author of Hebrews writes, For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (KJV, Heb. 4:15).
If you are an unbeliever, could your situation be drawing you to God? God wants you to turn to
Him for comfort. He may be attempting to get your attention.
An Illustration
A little girl came home from a neighbor's house where her little friend had died. "Why did you
go?" questioned her father. "To comfort her mother," said the child. "What could you do to comfort
her?" "I climbed into her lap and cried with her" (sermonillustrations.com).
Just like the little girl in the story, God will meet you at your point of need. He will listen to your
cries and concerns. He will whisper sweet peace to you spirit. God longs to comfort you!
Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.
Meek does not Mean Weak
To be meek is not to say one is weak! According to James Strong, the Greek here is praus, (prahooce) it can be defined as mild, humble, or gentle (Strong, 80). In ancient days, men tried to rule the
world by force. It was quite a notion that a meek person would inherit the earth!
A meek person is a strong. It is a controlled inner strength. In Proverbs, it is stated, He that
[hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, *and+ without walls (KJV,
Pro.25:28). Think of Jesus. How much power did he possess? Yet, he submitted himself to the will of God
and was crucified. He could have called ten thousand legions of angels, but he suffered instead.
Matthew Henry writes, The meek are those who quietly submit themselves to God, to his word and to
his rod, who follow his directions, and comply with his designs, and are gentle towards all men (Henry).
This is a true definition of meekness.
Inherit the Earth?
What does it mean to inherit the earth? Matthew Henry writes,

The Mourning Meek Matthew 5:1-12

Bounds 3

They shall inherit the earth; it is quoted from Ps. 37:11, and it is almost the only express
temporal promise in all the New Testament. Not that they shall always have much of the earth,
much less that they shall be put off with that only; but this branch of godliness has, in a special
manner, the promise of life that now is. Meekness, however ridiculed and run down, has a real
tendency to promote our health, wealth, comfort, and safety, even in this world. The meek and
quiet are observed to live the most easy lives, compared with the froward and turbulent.
(Henry).
Serving God has is temporal benefits too! He came to give us abundant life (Jn.10:10). John later wrote,
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul
prospereth (KJV, 3 Jn. 2).
How does this apply?
The statements seem to be stepping stones or at least interconnected. You must be poor in
spirit which causes you to mourn. When comforted this gives you to resolve to be meek. A meek
person, typically, has a better quality of life.
An Illustration
According to Bill Farmer's newspaper column, J. Upton Dickson was a fun-loving fellow who said
he was writing a book entitled Cower Power. He also founded a group of submissive people. It was
called DOORMATS. That stands for "Dependent Organization of Really Meek And Timid Souls -- if there
are no objections." Their motto was: "The meek shall inherit the earth -- if that's okay with everybody."
They symbol was the yellow traffic light.
Mr. Dickson sounds like he'd be a lot of fun, doesn't he? What is disturbing about all of this, though, is
that many people assume that the ridiculous ideas behind DOORMATS and Cower Power represent the
quality of meekness set forth in Matthew 5:5. Many, even in the church, think that to be meek is to be
weak. But the opposite is true. What the Bible is talking about is a powerful virtue. The slogan "strong
enough to be gentle" comes close to defining it. True meekness is best seen in Christ. He was
submissive, never resisting or disputing the will of God. His absolute trust in the Father enabled Him to
show compassion, courage, and self-sacrifice even in the most hostile situation.
Now let's apply this to ourselves. When we are meek, we will bear insults without lashing out in proud
resentment or retaliation. We'll thank God in every circumstance, while using every circumstance, good
or bad, as an occasion to submit to Him. Meekness would be weakness if it meant yielding to sin. But
because it stems from goodness and godliness, it is a great strength. (sermonillustration.com).

The Mourning Meek Matthew 5:1-12

Bounds 4

Conclusion
In conclusion, we can rest assured that God will comfort those that mourn. He is intimately
aware of our pains and hurts. One day He will wipe away all our sorrows and it will be like it was
intended in the Garden of Eden. Also, those that are meek humbly submit to Gods will and their lives
benefit from this submission.

The Mourning Meek Matthew 5:1-12

Bounds 5
Work Cited

"Famous Quotes." BrainyQuote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2014

King James Bible. S.l.: Thomas Nelson, 1991. Print.
"Text Commentaries: Matthew Henry (Blue Letter Bible: Matthew)." Blue Letter Bible. N.p., n.d. Web. 16
Nov. 2014.
"Sermon Illustrations." Sermon Illustrations. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2014.