Yesaya 61:2

61:2 to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,

the day when our God will seek vengeance, ¹ 

to console all who mourn,

Matius 5:4

5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ² 

Roma 12:15

12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

[61:2]  ¹ tn Heb “to announce the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance.

[5:4]  ² sn The promise they will be comforted is the first of several “reversals” noted in these promises. The beatitudes and the reversals that accompany them serve in the sermon as an invitation to enter into God’s care, because one can know God cares for those who turn to him.