The Sleeper Awakes
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2
Takes It To Heart – “Blessed are those who mourn.” At least that’s the way we usually read Matthew 5:4. But a little reflection on Ecclesiastes helps us see that there is more to the Beatitude than promised comfort at a funeral.
Even the Greek text shows us that there is something odd going on in Matthew. The opening word isn’t a verb. It doesn’t say “Blessed are.” It is an adjective. It describes the state of bliss that already exists for these people. The Greek text also shows us that the condition of mourning is in the present, active tense. It’s not about sometime in the future when you will (or might) mourn. It’s about experiencing grief right now. The people who experience bliss are the ones being crushed by grief. This is exactly what the Teacher of Ecclesiastes says. It’s far better to go to a place of weeping, sorrow and grief than it is to go to a place of eating and celebrating. Why is it better? For the same reason that Yeshua implies in His teaching. It is better because those who are mourning are experiencing life at the raw edge. They are on the cusp of the spiritual/physical slice through the universe. Mourning means that they have given up their self-delusions about control, power and protection. They know that life is fragile, and that they are not in charge.
Most of the time we operate on the mistaken belief that life revolves around us. Most of the time we think that tomorrow will be the same as today. Only when life jolts us do we see the real picture of our existence, that we depend on God’s graciousness for every breath. Mourning brings about the acute awareness of powerlessness – an essential ingredient in spiritual growth. Both Qohelet and Yeshua knew that those who are mourning are ready to receive God’s gracious favor. In fact, the ones who still think that life is supposed to be the way that we want it to be are far from the humility needed to find God. Those who are mourning open God’s heart. He feels our anguish too. The Great Hunter-Lover reaches to us. Unless we have reached the end of ourselves, unless we are broken, like the ones who mourn, we will not notice that God is here. We will miss the great announcement: God is with us right now.
yiten el-libo is the Hebrew phrase for “take to heart.” Tragedy wakes the sleeper. Tragedy cuts through the drugged illusion of self-sufficiency. Tragedy just might be the needed antidote enabling us to see who we really are. And that is good. Better to be in that place than in the place where life’s routine dulls our sensitivity to the hand of our Creator.
Topical Index: mourn, Matthew 5:4, Ecclesiastes 7:2, yiten el-libo
“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.”
Hi Skip,
For me, personally, the statement above is the most important point, and it is somehow tied to the the point you make in your chapter of Spiritual Restoration titled Second Skin:
“In God’s divine economy, the innocent pay for the guilty.”
The story of Jesus is obviously the most striking example of this point; and I’m thinking he could be seen as the Third Skin.
Christ is the center, the compass, and the circumference. When man (Adam) believes himself to be the center, we become “eccentric” or “off-center”. We are not the hub of the wheel and the universe does not revolve around this little speck of dust.
As we have said and are (all) coming to realize- “it’s not about me, (it’s not about you)- it is about Him.
Praise G-d for Christ-centered, Christ focused living. — and- Hallelujah for the cross.
To find the “center”, – the bullseye of the target- we must go to the cross of the Christ. Until we “behold” the Lamb of G-d which taketh away the sin of the world- and come to the Father through Jesus the Son- through the “door” of the cross, we will not “see” or “enter into” the kingdom of G-d.
It was a blood sacrifice on a hill called Mt. Calvary (approximately 2000 years ago) that provided a way (the way) of redemption, reclamation, renewal and restoration for fallen Adam (unredeemed humanity).
The greatest “tragedy” of all would be to “miss the message” of the Messiah- “for the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) And what did we lose in the Garden? “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden.” (Genesis 3.8) We lost our intimacy with YHWH. Sin separates. It divides. “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” (Isaiah 59.2)
Our G-d unites. He “reconciles”. He “brings together” (and -praise His name-binds together!) He is the G-d of shalom. The G-d of wholeness, peace and unity. We have been bought, and we have been brought together with the precious blood of Yeshua, we are His, and praise His name, we (together) are one “in Him”!
What if? -What if G-d provided a Lamb (a living Sacrifice, a propitiating atonement for sin), what if the very blood of G-d were given for the sins of the world (including our own) and nobody knew or cared. What if? What if- Calvary never occurred. What hope would we have? To whom would we go? What hope would we have? If the greatest love ever known, if the greatest love ever demonstrated, if the greatest gift of love ever given were either unknown or (purposefully) ignored, -would that be a “tragedy”?
What if we failed to give unto the LORD the glory due His name? Would that be a tragedy?
Because of sin,there is so much separation, suffering and sorrow in this world today. Does this break G-d’s heart? We know- G-d knows, but does YHWH care? What impact does this have on our cold, hard hearts..-“For G-d so loved the world?” Do the things that break the heart of our Father- ‘break’ our heart?
Will we remember the blood and water that poured from the side of Yeshua when He was pierced with the spear? Will we remember the towel of the Teacher and think of G-d washing the filthy feet of the twelve?
There is even a greater tragedy at work in our nation today. We are (purposefully and methodically) pushing G-d out of our government. “G-d” has become politically incorrect. The national day of prayer has been cancelled (and hopefully soon forgotten..) Is this a tragedy? The leader of this land has said (in his own words) America is no longer a “Christian” nation. Is this a tragedy? – I, am at a loss for words to even begin or attempt to describe this. “Abomination” is the only word I can think of to only come close to the “state of the union.” Are we (today) -“one nation under God?”
If G-d still is- (and He is!), should we pray? Do you (as I) feel some type of weight? a crushing, pressing need to pray? Would it be a tragedy for us not to pray?
LORD,- teach us to pray.. (Luke 11:1-4)
“The leader of this land has said (in his own words) America is no longer a “Christian” nation. Is this a tragedy?”
Hi Carl,
For me that is not a tragedy, rather it is a true statement.
In principle, we live in a “free” democracy, not a theocracy.
We are a country of immigrants from different religions.
For better and for worse 🙂
hello Michael- very true- we are a nation welcoming diversity. However, I am not one to rewrite history but rather to “remember” our roots and where we came from and how we got here. Collectively America seems to have little if no memory. It is as if we were born yesterday. Return to the birth of this experiment called America and review the men who founded this nation and wrote our Constitution. We surely need to remember we were founded upon freedom “of” religion, not freedom “from” religion. The religion seemingly in vogue today is “me-ism” or “what’s in it for me?” (back in the day we would call this “selfishness” or greed). Yes, what matter is it if we have a Muslim as leader of the free world. What matter is it that he has spent more money in one year than thirty presidents combined before him? Who cares? Party on- dude! The house is burning down- but party on!
Take out some of that folding money and look on the inscription “In G-d We Trust”. Or how about these words from our “pledge of allegiance”- “one nation under God”? Yes, indeed brother Michael- party on. Rampant ignorance and apathy. Who knows and who cares? – should be written on the next money after this nation is dead and gone. So what if it is written in the Bible- “blessed is that nation whose God is the LORD.” or “righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people”= this certainly does not apply to “us” does it? We are much more sophisticated than these “old fashioned” words from an antiquated and dated book. Party on dude- and turn up the volume to a deafening, mind-blowing level. Look the other way and let these masters of manipulation have their way. Live and let die. After all- one religion is just as good as the other? right? Yeshua really didn’t mean it when he said “I am the way, the truth and the life- no man comes to the Father but by me”- He is every bit as good as Budda or Mohammed or better yet – no religion at all- maybe we’ll just live by the “ten suggestions” Ted Turner came up with. All roads lead to heaven – right? Hmmm… – Yeah, I’m chillin’.. Do these words offend you? lol!! I certainly hope not. No offense intended, but I will always “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints!”
My wife may have said it best. Either G-d is going to have to judge this nation- or apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. I certainly hope she is wrong. And truly, -may G-d have mercy on us.
“A people feared and dreaded,
from their might proceeds their right,
their greatness.”
Habakkuk 1:7
Hi Carl,
I would imagine the native Americans felt pretty much like Habakkuk when our forefathers arrived with superior technology and military force, took their land, and destroyed their tribes, or moved them to reservations. In the name of God.
I’m not saying anything new- there are many who “talk the talk”- but don’t “walk the talk.” And yes, many wars have been (and continue to be) fought “in the name of G-d.” Every one of us (including moi!) will one day stand before our Maker to given an account of our stewardship. What will I say then?- and what am I doing now for “His name’s sake?” In this instance we do get to say “what about me?” – What am I doing to bring glory and honor to the name of Yeshau? Do I love the LORD with all my heart, soul, mind and strength? It’s me, it’s me, it’s me -O LORD!- standing in the need of prayer!
It goes like this my friend- if we were to actually live “by the Book” and do what is pleasing in the sight of YHWH (as in “love one another”)- what a truly wonderful world this would be.
When the holy breath of Yeshua enters us at the point of salvation- a change begins to take place. I can guarantee you as sure as I’m breathing- I’m not the same man I was some 45 years ago when I asked my Savior to forgive my sins and to take up residence in the center of my being. If “any man” be in Christ -he is a new creation. I am not the man I used to be and praise His name I am not yet the man I’m gonna be, but day-by-day G-d is making the necessary changes in me to conform me into the image of the Son. Truly. repentance is not a one-time event but rather a day-by-day experience. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4.20) Again- we are to love G-d and also to love our neighbor (a word of proximity). Again- if only we lived according to the Book. What a world this would be.. -paradise restored.
“Again- if only we lived according to the Book.What a world this would be.. -paradise restored.”
Hi Carl,
I agree. My point was that unless one can talk out of both sides of their mouth at the same time, they can’t become a politician in the first place.
So the less they say about God, the more I like it 🙂
My wife and I have been talking about the fact that the last few editions of TDW have been really powerful and today’s was no exception. We know, don’t we that the path to glory is first a path of suffering? That God does not select trophies but rather takes broken pieces and crafts these broken pieces into something glorious that brings Him glory. One cannot know he/she needs a Savior unless he/she first confronts the pain of personal sin and guilt. No pain, no gain….No good news without bad news first. No hope without despair first. And in fact, no one can really minister to others in self-sufficiency. More of me, less of Him. More of Him, less of me. (John 3:30)
I am reminded – and I cannot remember the term for these types of Psalms – of various Psalms where the psalmist begins with a “lament” and ends with worship and praise. God breaks through in hearts and minds but only after we have come to the end of ourselves.
Mourning may well be where our hearts should begin (take it to heart) but, “thanks be to God – for Jesus Christ, our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) Such indescribable Hope for us who take mourning to heart.
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, AND HE WILL LIFT YOU UP.” (James 4:7-10)
Oh, the joys of mourning.
Like King David said:
“Yet YOU are holy.”
I led worship last night at a church and we sang a chorus to a song, “Our G-d Reigns” which really was a great reminder that even in the psychosis of our nation’s leaders and our head-long rush toward … whatever, God’s plan and purpose are not thwarted. He reigns over our sin, over our governments, over our sorrow, and over our joy. Neither a president nor a congress, not a crashing world economy nor a less-than-subtle moral decline, nothing and no one can dethrone our Almighty G-d! So, I pray, I have my little subversive moments of sticking my tongue out at the system (mainly in my classroom), and I say of Him “Yet You are holy.”
Because He is.
Peace, Amanda