Isaiah 61 tells us that Jesus came to Earth to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to release those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of God, to comfort all who mourn, and 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. Isaiah says that He did ALL this so that the people of God may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that HE may be glorified.

Next, he says that the people of Zion will build up the ancient ruins, raise up the former devastations, repair the ruined cities, and the devastations of many generations. The people of God were made to show Him to the world, to make Him known. These blogposts are written with the intention of encouraging all, including myself, to know God and to make Him known.