Blessed are those who mourn; for they shall be comforted (Mt.5:4).
Ecclesiates tells us that "in much wisdom is much grief; and he that
increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow" (1:18). There is no one I can think of who
grieved more for fallen humanity than Christ Himself. He knew what was in man (John 2:25).
He walked among humankind daily, knowing what was behind the masks they put on for
everyone else. He knew their secrets, ambitions, desires and thoughts. Yet, He did not run
away from that sorrow--he bore it. He faced up to it, even though it grieved Him, so that
all mankind could know joy.
Jesus tells us that to whom much is given, much is required. We have been given eternal
life, His joy, and the gift of His indwelling presence (to name a few things). We have
also been given a great responsibility. We are to look humanity in the face and not wince.
We are to see the wickedness of mankind and not run. As we draw closer to God, we cannot
help but feel His pain for a fallen people. We cannot help but fall to our knees and yearn
for God to bring Light to those who dwell in darkness.
Mourning Walk |
Early morning silence embraces,
his footsteps softly traverse the hall.
Bluish tinted walls lay left and right,
a wake within the peripheral of night.
The couch waits in the darkness like a friend.
And meets him as he bends his knees beside,
He lays, head on arm, across the cushion,
as though within the stillness he would hide.
His heart beats into his eyes
and forces tears to fall to arm and couch.
Bemoaning what has driven man from God,
He pleads for Light,
and waits with longing for the Morning Son. |
A very familiar song tells us that "People Need the Lord." We must allow
ourselves to feel some of the Father's pain that He feels as He watches His children do
things that are hurting them. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn; for they
shall be comforted." It may be painful to experience the kind of knowledge and wisdom
that Solomon speaks of--the kind that brings us grief and sorrow. But God assures us that
we will be comforted. And in this process, we may discover that the depressing thoughts of
a fallen people may be worth having--they may be the very thing that compel us to fall to
our knees and lift up a fallen soul to the God who can lift them up.
...how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her
chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Mt. 23:37).
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