This passage is where the title of my next Bible Study series, "Beauty for Ashes", comes from, as well as many of the other lesson headings for this series.
To exemplify the amazing consistency and overall unity in Scripture, Luke 4:16-21 describes Jesus reading the Isaiah 61:1-2a verses and saying "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."; for, He is the Messiah, the "anointed" One, as mentioned in the first verse. Verse 1 also shows the working of the Trinity, the Father who sends the Spirit to empower the Son, in His "beauty for ashes" type ministry (e.g. good news to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, comforting the mourners, rebuilding the ruins, etc).
The emphasis is on salvation and restoration. Even "Beauty for Ashes" is the picture of ashes sprinkled on the head in mourning and sorrow being replaced by a beautiful crown or a victory garland. Throughout the passage, mourning refers to godly sorrow for sin leading to repentance, and comfort to forgiveness of sin leading to salvation.
We are reminded that all of this is done for God's glory (vs 3) and because of Who He Is (vs 8). And our natural response should be to PRAISE HIM (vs 10-11). This is why, as SCC said, even in grief, we can have HOPE.
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