Good News to the Poor
"A crown of beauty for ashes"
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
Someone filled with God's Spirit says, "The LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor," to bind up the brokenhearted, free the captives, and comfort all who mourn, giving them a crown of beauty for ashes. God promises to rebuild ruined cities because he loves justice, and his people sing that he has clothed them with garments of salvation. Centuries later, Jesus read these words in Nazareth and said they were fulfilled.
Where it is in the Bible: Isaiah 61:1 to 62:3
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Spirit Is on Me | 61:1-3 | A messenger brings good news to the hurting |
| 2. Rebuilding the Ruins | 61:4-7 | Ruined places will be restored |
| 3. God Loves Justice | 61:8-9 | God makes an everlasting covenant |
| 4. Clothed in Salvation | 61:10-11 | The people sing for joy |
| 5. A New Name | 62:1-3 | God will not rest until Jerusalem shines |
Before You Read
Who it's for. These words speak to God's people after they came home from exile in Babylon. Jerusalem was still in ruins, and people were poor and grieving.
Who is speaking. Someone filled with God's Spirit speaks in the first person: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me." The speaker isn't named.
What this passage is. A job description for God's chosen messenger, and a song of joy.
Why it matters. Jesus read these words out loud in his hometown synagogue. Then he said they were coming true (Luke 4:21).
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5The Spirit Is on Me
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" (61:1).
To anoint means to pour oil on someone to show God has chosen them.
He is sent "to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners" (61:1).
To bind up means to bandage a wound.
He will comfort everyone who mourns. He will give them "a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair" (61:3).
People in grief put ashes on their heads. God will replace the ashes with a crown.
They will be called "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD" (61:3). Oaks are strong trees with deep roots.
Section 2 of 5Rebuilding the Ruins
The people will rebuild cities that have been ruined for generations.
Instead of shame, they will receive a double portion. Instead of being humiliated, they will rejoice.
They will be called "the priests of the LORD" (61:6).
Section 3 of 5God Loves Justice
"For I, the LORD, love justice" (61:8).
God hates robbery and wrong. He will make an everlasting covenant with his people. A covenant is a promise that binds two sides together.
Everyone will see that they are a people the LORD has blessed.
Section 4 of 5Clothed in Salvation
Then the speaker sings for joy.
"I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness" (61:10).
To exult means to celebrate with great joy.
It's like a bride and groom dressed for their wedding.
Like seeds growing in a garden, God will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
Section 5 of 5A New Name
"For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep still, until her righteousness shines like a bright light" (62:1).
Jerusalem will get a new name from God himself.
"You will be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD" (62:3).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me" (61:1) | God's chosen messenger is filled with his Spirit. |
| "To preach good news to the poor" (61:1) | God's good news is for people with nothing. |
| "To bind up the brokenhearted" (61:1) | God cares for people who are hurting inside. |
| "A crown of beauty for ashes" (61:3) | God turns grief into joy. |
| "I, the LORD, love justice" (61:8) | God cares about what is fair and right. |
| "Garments of salvation" (61:10) | God dresses his people in his own goodness. |
Back Then
"The year of the LORD's favor" may echo the Year of Jubilee. Every fiftieth year, God's law said, debts were canceled and land was returned (Leviticus 25:10).
Ashes were a sign of grief. People in mourning sat in ashes or put them on their heads.
Mary's song echoes this hope. Mary sang that God lifts up the humble and fills the hungry (Luke 1:52-53).
Literal Reader Alert
Who is "Me"? Isaiah doesn't name him. Jesus read these words and said they were fulfilled in him (Luke 4:21). Christians believe Jesus is the anointed one.
Does this mean prisoners should all go free? The promise is about freedom from everything that binds people: sin, death, and injustice. God cares about people in prison, too (Matthew 25:36).
Are we really dressed in salvation? This is a comparison. God covers us with his goodness, like a beautiful robe, so we can stand before him.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The poor | Hopeless | They had nothing (61:1) |
| The mourners | Grieving | Their city was in ruins (61:2-3) |
| God's people | Joyful | God clothed them in salvation (61:10) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which promise do you need? Tap one.
Good news
This is for people who have nothing. That counts you in.
Brokenhearted
God binds up broken hearts.
Ashes
God gives a crown of beauty for ashes.
Freedom
Jesus came to set captives free.
You Might Have Heard
"God helps those who help themselves."
What's true: God gives us work to do and strength to do it.
What the passage is mainly about: God's good news is for the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, and the grieving, the people who can't help themselves. God helps them first.
Where Jesus is: In a synagogue in Nazareth, reading these words and saying, "Today this is fulfilled."
Good News
God sent his anointed one with good news for the poor.
"He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted" (61:1).
Jesus is that anointed one. He binds up broken hearts, sets captives free, and clothes us in his own righteousness.
God's chosen one brings good news to the poor and joy for ashes. Jesus said, "Today this is fulfilled."
Big Idea
The Spirit of the Lord is on his anointed one, to bring good news to the poor and a crown of beauty for ashes. Jesus said, "Today this is fulfilled."
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that our own goodness is like dirty rags, but Christ covers us with his own righteousness, like a robe. Isaiah 61:10 was one of the verses he loved for this.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year B, it reads Isaiah 61:1-4 and 8-11 on the Third Sunday of Advent, and Isaiah 61:10 to 62:3 on the First Sunday of Christmas.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor.
How did that feel?
You finished Good News to the Poor.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Third Sunday of Advent Year BFirst reading, Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11
- First Sunday of Christmas Year BFirst reading, Isaiah 61:10–62:3
- Second Sunday after the Epiphany Year CFirst reading, Isaiah 62:1–5
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Good News to the Poor, explained in plain words. God's anointed one brings good news to the poor. Jesus read these words aloud. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/good-news-to-the-poor/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church