Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, 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.
Isaiah 61:1-3
Jesus is drawing on God’s promises in Isaiah 61 to announce its fulfillment in Him.
"Blessed are those who mourn what is wrong and unjust in themselves and the world, and sincerely repent, for God comforts those who suffer and those who truly repent."
— Glen Stassen
Our hearts are to break over all that is broken in the world.
We can’t afford to numb out the pain of the world.
Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria…
You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches.
You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.
You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions,
but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph…
Amos 6:1-6
Prayer
Create some space this week to pray through the following questions:
Practices:
