Isa 61:3

Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.  Isaiah 61 heralds the good news of the coming of the Messiah: “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (v.1). Who is the person mentioned in the opening verse? Let the Bible answer! At Nazareth our Lord entered a synagogue of the Jews, opened a scroll and read the text from Isaiah 61:1-2 and applied these words to Himself: “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:21). We see that the Messiah was given a long list of things to do (v.1-3). He was to proclaim the glad tidings of God, including His pleasure and His vengeance, heal the brokenhearted, comfort all that mourn, and note verse 3: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” The “mourners in Zion” refers to those who dwelt in Jerusalem, and when apply to this prophecy of the Messiah’s mission, refers to those who sorrow after a godly sort (Matthew 5:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10). It refers to those that come to Him with repentance. The extent of the comfort and restoration is beautifully described in verse 3. Instead of the ashes of mourning, He gives His people beauty, oil of joy, and the garment of praise. In times of mourning the Jews put on sackcloth, or coarse and sordid raiment, and spread dust and ashes on their heads. We remember Tamar, daughter of king David. After she was sexually violated by her half brother Amnon, she rent her beautiful garment of divers colours, put ashes on her head, and ran out crying (2 Samuel 13:18-19). Christ is going to change all that. In His kingdom, those who mourn for their sins need not wear sackcloth and put ashes on their heads. The word beauty in verse 3 is a beautiful crown or head ornament. Here, the ashes are replaced with a beautiful crown. Indeed, there is joy in the Lord. The reason for this joy is because the mourner has been transformed from a sinner to a saint. A saint is one who has been consecrated. Read on in verse 10: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” Did you see a wedding? Christ gives His mourners the beautiful garments of salvation, and the robe of His righteousness; they look as astounding, maybe more astounding, than the ornaments and jewelry worn by a bride or a groom. Brethren, we must “greatly rejoice in the Lord.” When Paul wrote that we are to “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice” (Ephesians 4:4), he could have in mind Isaiah 61:10. We are sinners destined to condemnation, Christ cloths us with the garments of salvation. Our souls were stained with sins; Christ covers us with a robe of His righteousness. What a change of clothing! May we never ever put off this garment of salvation and robe of righteousness. Put them on ALWAYS!