There has been a lot of discussion around Isaiah 61, especially when people say it is Old Testament and not for today. The Old Testament is simply the first covenant, one that was impossible for us to fulfill on our own. Jesus is the only one who could fulfill it, and He did exactly that.
That does not make the Old Testament irrelevant. God does not change, and Jesus is woven all through it. Israel was in a terrible place when Isaiah 61 was written. They were in poverty, captivity, and living far outside of the promises God had given them.
Yet God always preserves a remnant, people willing to submit to Him, and Isaiah 61 was written to them.
Isaiah 61 opens by saying the Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed and qualified me. That word anointed comes from the Hebrew word Mashiach, which is where we get Messiah. This is not just poetic language. It is a direct reference to the Anointed One.
In Luke 4, Jesus stood in the temple, read from Isaiah 61, and said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Jesus identified Himself as the Messiah spoken of in this passage. That means this chapter applies to all people, for all time, because Jesus is still the Messiah.
Isaiah 61 speaks of good news to the poor and healing for the afflicted. If I tell someone who is poor that I have good news, the good news is that they do not have to be poor anymore. Healing is not needed in heaven, and money is not needed in heaven either, so this passage cannot be talking about something reserved only for the afterlife.
This is about right now. It is about freedom, healing, provision, and restoration in this life through Jesus.
Verse two talks about proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord, which refers to the Year of Jubilee. Every seven times seven years, debts were forgiven, land was restored, prisoners were freed, and everything was set right. Jesus fulfills that Jubilee by restoring everything and bringing freedom through His blood.
Some people misunderstand the phrase about vengeance, but vengeance that comforts the mourners is vengeance against evil and injustice. When God sets things right, it brings comfort to the righteous. Jesus is the embodiment of Jubilee, making all things line up again.
Isaiah 61 promises beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a heavy spirit. This language refers to priestly garments, meaning God is clothing His people in honor, authority, and righteousness.
Mourning is something I want to pause on for a moment. When my sister passed almost two years ago, a heavy spirit of mourning tried to attach itself to me. It was oppressive, heavy, and unfamiliar to who I am. Through prayer, I realized there was no purpose in holding onto that mourning, and I rebuked it in Jesus’ name.
Mourning is not something you have to tolerate. God offers beauty in exchange for ashes, and we are free to receive it.
Verse four talks about rebuilding ancient ruins and restoring devastated cities. Archaeological evidence shows this was fulfilled during Israel’s return from exile, yet Jesus still referenced this passage because it applies beyond that moment.
We are still called to rebuild, restore, and renew what has been broken. God continues to bring restoration through His people.
Verse six declares that we are called priests of the Lord. This echoes Exodus 19:6, where God calls Israel a kingdom of priests, and 1 Peter 2:9, which calls believers a royal priesthood. This is not just for Israel. This is for us.
When God’s people focus on ministering to Him and living spiritually aligned, He ensures their physical needs are met. This is the foundation of being a kingdom of priests.
Isaiah 61 promises a double portion instead of shame. When God’s people put Him first and get their house in order, everything else begins to line up. This is good news for the poor and the afflicted.
Scripture interprets Scripture. If God’s character throughout the Bible shows provision, generosity, and abundance, then interpretations that promote poverty as holiness do not align with His nature. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, walks on streets of gold, and clothed Jesus in a seamless robe.
Verse eight reminds us that God loves justice and has made an everlasting covenant. Jesus fulfilled the old covenant and established a better one, but nothing was lost in the process. Everything promised in Isaiah 61 still applies, and more has been added through Christ.
Hebrews 9 explains that the old regulations were temporary until Christ established the reality they pointed toward. Jesus fulfilled it all.
Verse nine says that the nations will recognize God’s people as blessed. Poverty does not glorify God. Prosperity, healing, and wholeness testify to His goodness.
God gives according to what we can steward. As we are faithful, He increases our capacity. The blessing does not stop with us. It overflows to everyone around us.
Isaiah 61 ends with rejoicing in the Lord, being clothed in salvation and righteousness, and seeing righteousness spring forth like a garden. The kingdom of God operates on seedtime and harvest, and Jesus is the Word who fulfilled it all.
Isaiah 61 is not outdated. It points directly to Jesus, and Jesus pointed right back to it. It has everything to do with us.
