ADVANCE // COMFORT

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

That was the springboard for our discussion last night. A quick reminder, when Jesus uttered these words in real-time, He was speaking to those who had decided to step out of the crowd and into a life of following Him. And, for those people-- those who place their faith in Jesus-- their mourning will be met with comfort.

Why?

Well, because there are some RIGHT NOW elements for those who have placed their faith in Jesus. Right now, someone can cross that line into faith and experience the joy of knowing that their sins are forgiven. They can begin to be transformed from the inside out. And much of what we mourn has to do with those things. So that's huge.

But there's also the NOT YET (oh, but it's going to happen) aspects of that promise. Because, in the end, we have this beautiful scene that's been shown by John in His revelation about the future in which it says that God will wipe every tear from our eyes. Whatever is broken will be made whole. Whatever was once sick will be made well. And whatever has been empty will be made full. It's all a part of this certain future for anyone who decides to follow Jesus.

And, in this IN BETWEEN time. We have a hope that we can bring into walking alongside our friends who mourn. We have a comfort that we can share because God has shared His comfort with us. 

So...until that awesome future day...

"We mourn differently because we have a different Hope."