A Crown Instead of Ashes

When Jesus preached his first sermon in Luke 4, he quoted from Isaiah 61. Here, at the very start of his ministry, he pushed hard against the shame that we feel inside of us. Over and over as he read these words to the people in that little synagogue he was seeking to do the very things these words proclaimed: to replace shame with blessing.

In those places of your heart where your memories haunt you and your failures torment you, can you allow the Savior to meet you in your mourning and bring healing today? Listen with all your heart to these words.

Jesus said he came:

to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.

• Isaiah 61:2-4