Beauty for Ashes

This is the season of Lent, a time when Christians reflect and prepare for Easter remembering the events that lead to the cross where Jesus gave His life to save ours. The 40 days of Lent reminds us of Jesus’ time in the wilderness where He fasted in preparation for the mission and message he came to proclaim. Luke chapter 4 opens with Jesus being led into the wilderness where he fasted and he was tempted by Satan. When the 40 days came to an end, the scripture tells us in Luke 4:14, “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,” and went into a synagogue where he was handed a scroll and read. The portion of scripture Jesus read was from Isaiah 61 and when he finished, he proclaimed, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The Messiah had come!

I was reflecting on the scripture Jesus read in Isaiah 61:1-2  today:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,

for the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor.

He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted

and to proclaim that captives will be released

and prisoners will be freed.

He has sent me to tell those who mourn

that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

No matter who you are or where you have come from, we have all at one time been lacking, without love, friendship, support; poor in life. We have all experienced the pain of being brokenhearted in relationships, disappointments, dashed hopes and dreams. We have all been held captive and imprisoned to sin and shame. We have all mourned the loss of those we have loved, and said goodbye to those we once held close. Jesus speaks to you and to me the good news of His coming, His comfort, His freedom, His presence and His favor has come. Isaiah 61 continues to say in verse 3:

“To all who mourn in Israel,[c]

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,

a joyous blessing instead of mourning,

festive praise instead of despair.

In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks

that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”

Isaiah is proclaiming to God’s people that the hope of heaven pulses in Jesus and in the message of the Good News! Jesus is the restorer and redeemer of our lives exchanging our poverty, brokenness, captivity and mourning into blessing, crowns and joy.

So I ask you today, what ashes are you holding onto that you have not allowed Jesus and the good news to come into those places in your heart and soul, your mind and body to redeem. Are you storing them in urns hiding them away. I want to remind you Jesus said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” The Messiah has come! I encourage you to reflect and prepare your heart during this season of Lent. Let’s allow Jesus to give us beauty for our ashes, joy in place of our sorrow and praise to lift us out of our despair so that His glory is displayed in our lives.

 

From my heart to yours,

DaNetta Fernandez