Today’s Passage: Isaiah 61:1-3
That they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. — Isaiah 61:3
Isaiah 61 is full of hope and promise!
Jesus the Messiah is anointed to bring good news to the poor. He is sent to bind up the broken-hearted, will proclaim liberty to the captives, and will open the prison of those who are bound.
He proclaims the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God.
The Messiah comforts those who mourn by giving them “a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit” (verse 3).
He does all this so that, “they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified” (verse 3).
That last statement is astounding to me! All of the good things that Messiah does is so that He might be glorified (glorified may also be rendered, “that he may display his beauty”).
The Messiah’s acts of kindness and redemption toward us are so the He may display His beauty.
His ultimate act of kindness – emptying Himself of the glories of heaven, taking on the form of man, and laying down his life for our redemption – demonstrates His desire to glorify Himself (display His beauty).
Prayer
Father, during this Advent season, please help me to remember that any good thing, including redemption, happened because You desire to display Your beauty. In Jesus’s name, amen.