“The closer we grow to God, the further we realize we are from Him and yet the closer we long to be.”
I read an article this week that said, “One doesn’t read Jesus long until they realize he is speaking from a very focused and even fierce point of view. He focuses with laser-like precision on how the Love of God works on and in a human person.” What a great perspective to have as we consider the impactions of biblical mourning.
One of the greek words translated as “mourn” in the bible is ‘koptō’ which means “to be cut off.” What I find so fascinating about this word and the meaning of biblical mourning is that we are to lament, grieve, and even weep or cry out that we are essentially “cut off” from God - and its all of our own doing. Think about that!
Because of the past year we all have a deeper understanding of the concept of mourning as we’ve experienced being ‘cut off’ from our loved ones, our friend groups, our social circles, as well as our routines, activities and places that anchor our lives. Still others have lost someone dear to them as a result of COVID. We know well what it means to cry out, “I just want this pandemic to be over.” Yet, even amid pain and loss, we can remember what Jesus said, “For those of you who truly understand and experience mourning, God will bring you comfort (my paraphrase).”
Wow! Right out of Jesus’ mouth. For those who’ve experience the depth of being cut off from God because of their sin, YOU WILL BE COMFORTED! Incredible. I don’t know about you but that leaves me a little taken back. Jesus’ words hit me like a conversation with a good friend when I’m feeling lonely, or like a deep breath I take at the beginning of a few days away when I’m standing on the beach first looking at the ocean - relief.
Maybe you’ve had a chance to listen to the message (see video above) or listen to our discussion podcast (see link below - by the way, these are all designed to work together), but we find examples in scripture of God pursuing someone out of his abundant love even in the midst of that persons pain. The story of Peter is one example.
I’m stunned by the possibility that God chose to comfort Peter even after he denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice, but three times. Mark 16:6-8: “the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”
Did you see that? Why would the angel single out Peter in this verse? Is it because Peter is no longer considered a disciple? No! What I think is happening is that this is a picture of God’s particular comforting of the heart of one of his beloved friends in the midst of his feeling ‘cut off.” One commentary I read this week said: “This [moment] is not intended to exclude Peter from the disciples, but rather to ensure that Peter gets the message. God is hunting down the miserable Peter because he wants to have mercy on him.”
Could it be that in the moment when humanity first learns of the saving work of Jesus, in this seminal moment that changes the course history, God took a second to make sure that Peter was comforted?! Incredible. If God will do that for Peter, in moment like that, I can guarantee He will to do the same for your hurting heart. Jesus has been redeeming broken stories and reclaiming broken lives from the very beginning - He’s very good at it! Are you mourning today? Run to Jesus. He will give you comfort.