William Barclay describes potential mourners that Jesus may be describing. First, He may be describing "the man who has endured the bitterest sorrow that life can bring." Second, He may be describing "those who are desperately sorry for the sorrow and the suffering of this world... Blessed is the man who cares intensely for the sufferings, and for the sorrows, and for the needs of others."
Barclay acknowledges that this Beatitude of Jesus certainly allows for both of the above thoughts. However, he indicates that there is a third thought that is especially implicit within the Beatitude. "Blessed is the man who is desperateley sorry for his own sin and his own unworthiness."
Surely, this third perspective captures a spirit of repentance.
Barclay says: "As we look at the Cross, we are bound to say, 'That is what sin can do. Sin can take the loveliest life in all the world and smash it on a a Cross.' One of the great function of the Cross is to open the eyes of men and women to the horror of sin. And when a man sees sin in all its horror he cannot do anything else but experience this intense sorrow for his sin."
Barclay concludes: "Christianity begins with a sense of sin."
I cannot help but consider the words of Charles Wesley:
I want a principle within
Of watchful, godly fear,
A sensibility of sin,
A pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel
Of pride or wrong desire,
To catch the wand’ring of my will,
And quench the kindling fire.
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