163. Comfort for Mourning
Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn.
The Son of God was anointed with the Spirit of the lord to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord: this is the Jubilee year (50th year) in which all debts are forgiven and everyone gets a fresh start. This happened spiritually when Jesus came to earth for the forgiveness of all people. He also came to proclaim the day of vengeance: this is the just judgment of all Sin and Evil and Satan at the cross and the victory of life for all in the Resurrection. But the promise is in the third clause: to comfort all that mourn. This part of the prophecy is a promise for all believers: we who mourn shall be comforted.
This is the promise as Jesus proclaimed it in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” The promise is for all who mourn, and we are all mourners. No one goes through life without mourning, sadness, and weeping. Death has separated loved ones, so we mourn. Sin and Satan has caused suffering and loss of all kinds, so we mourn. Loss and sadness is a part of the human condition, so we mourn. Jesus has good news for all who mourn: you will be comforted.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ takes away the sin that causes suffering, destroys the works of the devil, and gives victory and life over death forever. This is comfort. This kind of eternal comfort, hope and life is available for all, Because of Christ God has restored life in place of death and separation; He has forgiven sin in place of just judgment on all our sins; He has released us from the claims of Satan who tries to steal our joy, destroy our peace, and kill all hope. This is great comfort and good news. Take comfort in Christ for anything that causes discomfort.