Isaiah: The Robe of Righteousness

Isaiah 61
Jesus launched his earthly ministry from his hometown, a small village called Nazareth. As he did every Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue. Today in Nazareth, there is a structure representing an ancient synagogue, which has a large open room with several rows of stone seats on the sides. The Sabbath service would have included singing, praying, and reading Scripture. On this day, Jesus was the reader. When the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him, he unrolled it and found Isaiah 61.
Jesus read only a portion of the chapter, rolled up the scroll, and handed it back to the attendant. The gospel writer Luke tells us that, as Jesus sat down, “the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him” (Lk. 4:20). Think about that moment of silence and tension. The worshipers likely wondered why Jesus hadn’t read the entire passage.
Then Jesus stated, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Lk. 4:21). There was more conversation, but it didn’t end well. The people of his hometown drove Jesus out of town, intending to throw him off a cliff. “But,” Luke tells us, “passing through their midst, he went away” (Lk. 4:30).
Isaiah 61, the passage Jesus read, describes the coming Messiah. The first verse speaks of the Trinity.
Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.
There are three reasons confirming that the “me” in this verse refers to the Messiah.
-
The Anointing. The first two kings of Israel, Saul and David, were anointed with oil and blessed by the Spirit (1 Sam. 10:1, 10; 16:13). Similarly, Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit to be Israel’s King (Matt. 3:16-17). Bible scholar John Martin notes, “The Hebrew word for Messiah (māšîaḥ) means “the Anointed One,” and Christ (christos, from chriō, “to anoint”) is the Greek equivalent of māšîaḥ.”[1]
-
The Proclamation. Jesus read this passage and applied it to himself (Lk. 4:16-30).
- The Mission. The mission of the Anointed One spoken of in Isaiah 61:1-2 was the mission of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
- Jesus proclaimed the good news of salvation to those in spiritual poverty.
- Jesus’ physical healings demonstrated his power to heal the brokenhearted.
- Jesus delivered freedom to those trapped in sin.
- Jesus proclaimed “the year of the LORD’s favor” as a time of blessing and restoration.
This is where Jesus ended his public reading of Isaiah 61 at the synagogue in Nazareth. Verse 2 continues, “and the day of vengeance of our God” (Isa. 61:2). That day would come, but as Jesus began his ministry regarding his first coming, he focused on salvation, blessing, and restoration with God.
We must remember that Isaiah’s targeted audience was living in captivity. The message of the Messiah would “comfort all who mourn” (Isa. 61:2). They would be restored to their homeland with “a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit…” (Isa. 61:3). Their destroyed city would be rebuilt (Isa. 61:4). They would be called “priests of the LORD” and “ministers of our God” (Isa. 61:6).
Isaiah 61:7
Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.
God promises to make an “everlasting covenant” with Israel (Isa. 61:8). This was established in the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 12:1-3), and here it is confirmed (the New Covenant). While this verse is about the future millennial kingdom, the work of the “everlasting covenant” provides spiritual renewal for us today (Jer. 32:40; Ezek. 16:60; 37:26; Heb. 13:20).
Isaiah 61:10 [Anchor Point]
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness….
Stay with me as we wrap up. Let’s go back to Isaiah 61:2. We said that the message of the Messiah would “comfort all who mourn” (Isa. 61:2).
When Jesus preached his Sermon on the Mount, he said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4), possibly an allusion to Isaiah 61:2. I believe Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:4 refer to spiritual mourning; a realization of one’s sin and turning to Jesus in repentance. When spiritual grieving takes place, the “comfort” of salvation follows.
The sinner in spiritual poverty will be clothed “with the garments of salvation.” This is made possible by the Messiah, the Suffering Servant we met in Isaiah 53. His work on the cross took the punishment for our sins. That means Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross as our substitute paid for our sins in full, thereby reconciling us with God. The heavenly Father looks at us and sees the righteousness of Jesus. Because of Christ’s atoning work, we are covered “with the robe of righteousness.”
Because of the work of the Messiah, the Christ, our Lord and Savior, we can say with Isaiah, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God”! (Isa. 61:10)
PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Isaiah 61. Focus on our Anchor Point—Isaiah 61:10.
Think about the garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness that Jesus’ work on the cross has provided for you.
Talking to God: Thank God for the work of his Son, who provides an everlasting covenant between you and the eternal God.
Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll reply soon. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or if you need spiritual counsel.
Every day is a day of spiritual renewal as we follow hard after Jesus.