Key Thought

Paul told Christians in Rome, "Weep with those who weep." (Rom. 12:15) Disciples face sadness for many reasons. Discipleship is not about always being happy. It's about following the path of Jesus who was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." (Isa. 53:3) He surrendered his rights to bless others. He surrendered his life to forgive the very ones crucifying him. He saw through the facades of his culture and felt the real needs of people whether they were ill, possessed, or simply blind to the truth. To be a Christian -- a disciple of Jesus -- means to care about people, their problems, and to "weep with those who weep." But such mourning means comfort. Our sufferings, hardships, and struggles will melt away in the eternal light of God's presence and grace. Our heartbreak for those broken in our world will be replaced with rejoicing when many we have loved join us at God's side eternally. Those who mourn, who are deeply sad, they will be comforted!

Today's Prayer

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O God of all comfort, thank you for never abandoning me in the dark hours of grief and pain. Thank you for listening to my complaints and heartbreak when times are tough. Thank you for loving and not turning away. I believe, dear Father, that all comfort comes from and is found in you! So I ask that you help me see others in pain, that I might share in bringing them your comfort. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus saw the many people that were there. So Jesus went up on a hill and sat down. His followers came to him. Jesus taught the people. He said: "What great blessings there are for the people that {know they} have spiritual needs! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. What great blessings there are for the people that are sad now! God will comfort them. What great blessings there are for the people that are humble! They will have the land {God promised}. What great blessings there are for the people that want to do right more than anything else ! God will fully satisfy them. What great blessings there are for the people that give mercy to other people! Mercy will be given to them. What great blessings there are for the people that are pure in their thinking! They will be with God. What great blessings there are for the people that work to bring peace! God will call them his sons and daughters. What great blessings there are for the people that are treated badly for doing good! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. "People will say bad things against you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things against you because you follow me. But when people do those things to you, know that God will bless you. Be happy and glad. You have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did those same bad things to the prophets that lived before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, then it cannot be made salty again. Salt is good for nothing, if it loses its salty taste. It must be thrown out and people walk on it. "You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. No. People put the light on a lamp table. Then the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that people will see the good things you do. Live so that people will praise your Father in heaven.

— Matthew 5:1-16 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.