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; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 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.
Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV
Jesus came to save us. According to these scriptures, for 3 purposes: to share good tidings with the spiritually bankrupt. To heal the brokenhearted. To tell of the freedom that is found in the salvation from Christ.
He comforts us, consoles us. To be a true comfort, one must know and understand what we are going through. Truest comfort comes from those who relate. Who have been through similar experiences, found their way through, and shared that way with us. Jesus is the way, and He knows all things. He has been human, experiencing all human emotions.
But he is the way. He gives me beauty that comes out of ashes. There may still be ashes, but the beauty on the other side… Oil of joy, garments of praise.
And why? “So that we may be called trees of righteousness, the planting (evidence) of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Trees stand tall, offer shade, beauty, refuge. Trees are strong, and after growth, they become immovable. Trees grow. Trees reach for the Lord. Trees seek the light.