Jesus only gave a partial quote of Isaiah 61:1-2 in His teaching at the Nazareth synagogue. He began, The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, [1]
But verse two of Isaiah 61 continues and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn. [2] Jesus didn’t quote that because that would happen during His second coming. Jesus stated His purpose in His quote as He came to redeem us from our sins. However, it is important to know the context of the quote as it gives us a deeper meaning. We know that those who reject His redemption will face the day of judgment.
Jesus’ Redemption Restores
Isaiah goes on to describe what the redemption of the Messiah will be like. Isaiah 61:3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.[3]
We might picture one attending a funeral contrasted with a bride dressed for a wedding. In the culture of Jesus’ day, a funeral attendee might wear ashes and sackcloth and make sympathetic moans. But if one was given the news that they were not to attend a funeral but a wedding, one would make a change. The ashes would be wiped off and a headdress put on. There would be joy instead of sadness, resulting in praise of God instead of a faint spirit. We know the restorative work of Jesus begins with an inner transformation that could fit this picture.
After restoring us, Jesus plants us in our spheres of influence so that we might bear fruit for Him. We are to glorify Him in all we do. The picture of a great oak shows that we are to have deep roots so that we can bear the right fruit. That is, we are to be just and right acting.
From Death to the Bride
Our sin condemns us to eternal death. Romans 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. [4] Jesus came to pay the price of our sin because we couldn’t. He loves us so much that He was willing to die in our place and give us eternal life as a gift.
Revelation pictures the believers as a bride and Jesus as the groom in a wedding. This will take place in heaven for eternity. A wedding speaks of a loving relationship. Revelation 19: 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.[5]
So, we can see how Isaiah foretold the work of Jesus and the result of His work. We, as believers, are the benefactors. We move from mourning of death to the joy of life eternal. To learn more about a partial quote of Jesus, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rejected-at-nazareth
[1-5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version . (2016). Crossway Bibles.