Still in Isaiah 61:2 we see that Jesus is saying that He is not only proclaiming the acceptable year of our God but at the same time “the day of vengeance of our God” and “to comfort all that mourn”. When we first look at this it seems to be contradictory because it says in the acceptable year of our Lord (the day of the cross) He will show vengeance AND comfort those that mourn. How can both of these things be done? It seems that these things are opposites.

How can you proclaim the acceptable year of our God to show vengeance and comfort at the same time? I think the word to look at is mourning and this word means lamenting. Why would the people of that time mourn? They would mourn every time a prophet (Isaiah) would come around and prophesy judgment coming upon the people. They put on sackcloth and ashes and mourn. Why were they mourning? They knew the impending wrath of God was coming. Each time they heard this they knew there was judgment coming and they went into mourning.

But Jesus said He was come to declare the day of vengeance of our God. The day He was talking about was the day of the cross. It was THE day that the vengeance of our God was poured out. This vengeance was not poured out upon the people but upon the Son of God who had come for that very purpose. How could that comfort all that mourn? It could comfort because all the judgment that was to come upon the people was placed upon Jesus and He took it instead of us.

If you are mourning and wondering when the judgment of God is going to come upon you and the rest of the people and you come to realize the fact that it was already poured out upon Jesus 2000 years ago, then that should be a comfort to you. To know judgment is never going to be yours because His vengeance has already been satisfied should be a definite comfort to you and to all that hear it. When you get the revelation of the day of vengeance of our God, and that it is already past, it will bring a peace and joy to you that is difficult to explain.

Folks this is the Truth of the Gospel of Grace and Peace. God’s vengeance is past and His comfort is here. There is no need to mourn any longer in fear of a coming judgment. When judgment was sent to the earth for all mankind, at the same time the cross was lifted up and all the vengeance and judgment fell upon Jesus. The acceptable year of the Lord looked after all the vengeance God had. You no longer have anything to mourn about as far as God’s wrath is concerned. Stop mourning and rest in His Grace.