有一個住在英格蘭的年輕人寄了一封電郵告訴我，他的父親（才63歲）正在醫院裡，病況嚴重，命在旦夕。雖然我與他父親未曾謀面，但我們的工作有許多相似之處。這個年輕人想給他父親加油打氣，就請我錄製一段鼓勵與禱告的視頻，然後寄給他。當時我深受感動，便錄下一段簡短的信息，以及祈求上帝使他病得醫治的禱告。後來，我得知他父親看了影片，並豎起大拇指熱烈地回應。但令人悲傷的是幾天之後，他寄來另一封電子郵件告訴我他父親已經過世。他父親嚥下最後一口氣時，還緊握著他母親的手。

我心碎了。這般的愛，如此的傷痛。這個家庭中的妻子這麼早就失去丈夫，孩子也失去了父親。但我們很驚訝地看到，耶穌竟然堅稱，這些悲傷的人將會蒙福，祂說：「哀慟的人有福了」（馬太福音5章4節）。耶穌不是說苦難與悲傷是好的，而是說上帝的恩慈與憐憫會澆灌在最需要慈憐的人身上。那些因失去親人或因自己的過犯而悲慟不已的人，最需要上帝的顧念與安慰，而耶穌已經應許「他們必得安慰」（4節）。

我們是上帝所愛的兒女（9節），祂會陪伴在我們身旁，在我們流淚哀傷時賜福給我們。

I received an email from a young man in England, a son who explained that his father (only sixty-three) was in the hospital in critical condition, hanging on to life. Though we’d never met, his dad’s work and mine shared many intersections. The son, trying to cheer his father, asked me to send a video message of encouragement and prayer. Deeply moved, I recorded a short message and a prayer for healing. I was told that his dad watched the video and gave a hearty thumbs-up. Sadly, a couple days later, I received another email telling me that he had died. He held his wife’s hand as he took his final breath.

My heart broke. Such love, such devastation. The family lost a husband and father far too soon. Yet it’s surprising to hear Jesus insist that it’s precisely these grieving ones who are blessed: “Blessed are those who mourn,” Jesus says (Matthew 5:4). Jesus isn’t saying suffering and sorrow are good, but rather that God’s mercy and kindness pour over those who need it most. Those overcome by grief due to death or even their own sinfulness are most in need of God’s attention and consolation—and Jesus promises us “they will be comforted” (v. 4).

God steps toward us, His loved children (v. 9). He blesses us in our tears.