Isaiah 61:1-4 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 61:1-4 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 61The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; Verse 2to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; Verse 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
Verse 4They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
Devotion
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see ruined cities repaired; to witness the end of devastation, oppression, violence and grief; and to live in the “year of the Lord’s favor?” Like Isaiah’s listeners, we long for God’s favor. But we have it already—and this is for Jesus’ sake, not because we deserve it. God makes us what the prophet calls “oaks of righteousness,” strong witnesses to the reconciliation between God and the world accomplished in the coming of the promised Messiah. We are “the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.” And so we rejoice in God’s advent and sing, “‘Comfort, comfort now my people; tell of peace!’ So says our God. Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning under sorrow’s load. To God’s people now proclaim that God’s pardon waits for them! Tell them that their war is over; God will reign in peace forever.” (ELW 256)
Prayer
Faithful God, open my heart to your word of peace and favor, spoken
in the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.