Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV
It may sound odd, but mourning is a positive emotion. At a memorial service this past Monday, I witnessed this when a family finally came together to celebrate the life of a loved one who had passed away a few months ago. Family looked at old pictures, shared stories, and cried–all necessary things to begin healing.
Typically, we think of mourning only when we lose someone we love, but it doesn't have to be limited to that. It can be any significant change in our life. The abrupt end of a job, the fracturing of a relationship, and the halt of a friendship are also reasons to mourn. Whatever it is, we must take the time to grieve and allow ourselves an opportunity to process the loss. Without acknowledging our grief, we can't move forward.
The fully human Jesus experienced grief. Upon becoming aware of the death of John the Baptist, he withdrew to be alone later; we hear he wept at Lazarus' tomb. The fully divine Jesus loved us so much that he bore our grief of sin to the cross.
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:3-5
In our mourning, the Jesus who brings us peace and healing offers kindness and compassion and is with us every step of the healing process.
Compassionate God, thank you for your comfort in our mourning. Please give us the courage to grieve. Help us process the loss and remember the good memories with fondness. Then, please give us the strength to carry on. We pray this in the name of your fully human and divine Son, Jesus. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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