Pastor’s Corner – May 19, 2022
This spring and summer I am sharing some thoughts on the teaching of Jesus called the Beatitudes, found in the opening verses of Matthew chapter 5. The word “beatitude” means a blessing that produces well-being. A blessing comes from Gohd and is to be gratefully received and generously shared. A focus on the Beatitudes is an opportunity to align our lives with Christ’s intentions for his disciples.
The second Beatitude of Jesus reads, Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. That doesn’t sound like much of a blessing, does it? Of course, it is not that God brings mourning into our lives. The Bible is clear that God is the source of good not evil. The blessing is the comfort God brings to our experiences of loss and grief.
We are confident of God’s compassionate presence and understanding because of the way God came to be among us in Jesus. Through Jesus, God came to experience all the challenges and opportunities of human life—even suffering, loss and death. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews put it this way: For we do not have a high priest (this author’s favorite way to refer to Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Are you in a season of mourning? Our Leader, Jesus, can offer comfort and peace. If you need help connecting with Christ’s comforting presence, I would be honored to guide the way.
May you be blessed,
Marc
