As I sit with these verses and let them saturate my spirit, the words mourn and grieve jump out at me. We often connect those words to death of a loved one and, while true, the scope of mourning and grieving this passage refers to is much broader. We see these emotions connected with captivity and prisoners. Let’s not miss this connection because God is reaching into the deepest parts of us to bring comfort.

The moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, captivity was birthed. You and I have never known a moment of complete freedom. Yes, in Jesus Christ we are being made whole and free, but it is a journey that won’t reach fruition this side of heaven. As long as we live on the earth the battle between flesh and spirit fights on within us and we will have some lingering reminders of our prison cells. Some (as I mentioned in an earlier post) are still in their cells with no realization that Jesus tore down the locks and doors of those cells. Some stand at the edge of the cell where the door used to be and peer into the unknown experience of freedom. They are hesitant to step beyond the bounds of the prison cell because at least in the cell they know what to expect each day (even if it is tremendously painful). Some are stepping out and exploring freedom yet they often turn back and visit their cell because they don’t believe they deserve freedom. And then there are those, like myself, who have chosen freedom and the further we walk into Jesus the more we love and experience the freedom He offers. Yet even those of us who are reveling in Him get constant reminders and mocking from our enemy of those prison cells. We may not have the shackles on our wrists anymore but Satan points out the indentations of where they once bound us. We may have been washed clean but Satan pours shame on us to remind us of how we smelled in captivity. Jesus paid the full price for our freedom but we have to fight courageously to live and breathe deeply in it.

That is why we have a deep grief that we often can’t put words to but we know it echo’s through us. Collectively, God’s people mourn what was taken from us. That is why God wants to comfort us and give us the oil of joy, beauty for ashes, and a garment of praise. He knows our inner struggles and doubts and our secret moments of shame. He calls us relentlessly and tenderly away from captivity and if we would be so bold as to take him up on His offer then perhaps we would let those structures of captivity burn to the ground. When the fires have cooled and only ashes remain we will see the transforming power of the Holy Spirit create beauty beyond what this world can ever offer us.

One structure burning to the ground at a time. That is the journey in this life of grace. That’s the good news of Jesus. By the way, you don’t have to work the journey alone. God sends torch-bearers into your life that understand receiving beauty from ashes and will share the holy fire with you. I smell smoke and it’s a glorious thing!!