Mourning Mankind's Future

Scripture:
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

Observation: The second of the beatitudes is this ... those who mourn will be blessed, as they will be comforted. The question has always been, however, what do they mourn? There are three possible answers I have learned:

1) They mourn the death of a loved one, and their blessing is straightforward ... they will in fact be comforted.

2) They mourn the passing of their old lives when they discover the right way to live, and their blessing is in their new life ... they will receive joy in a better life.

3) They mourn the failure of everyone to uphold the Law and thus be saved from death, and their blessing is true and deep blessing from the Lord ... for they model Jesus by loving others enough to care about their eternal souls.

I wonder how many other possible answers there are? I wonder if any of these are correct? And I wonder if Jesus believed his audience would understand the nuances of what he was saying? Later in his ministry, Jesus teaches in parables, knowing not everyone will understand. However, I think that even in this early teaching he believed that others would understand his words in layered ways, as they pondered his words and received the Holy Spirit.

Application: I have lived in definition #2 for some time, but I am ready to move onto #3. I mourn the world we live in and those who live in the corrupt values of this world. I don't oppose them. I instead am sad for them and long for their redemption. I desire a new world, and weep for what we have done as people. I admit I am a part of that problem, and desire to be better myself, but I am sad for all the world. I wish the world were moving in a better direction, aligned to the Law of God, as discussed later in this same chapter of Matthew.

Prayer: Lord, may this world be ever so better aligned to your kingdom and your Laws. You know where we diverge from your will, and I don't expect us to truly correct society as your own prophesies indicate the path this world is on. But I mourn for many people, some specific, and some general. If I can help them, please use me. Amen.