The words of Isaiah are all too familiar. "Comfort, comfort ye my people, says your God." He preaches for Judah, for Israel, and for you. The role of the preacher is to speak God's Word clearly. He preaches law to the hardened sinner. Take the preaching of John the Baptist in the wilderness, our Lord Jesus on the mount; God's commands and demands are proclaimed to instruct, to curb and to accuse. But there does come a time when the sinner is beaten and bruised, accused and dead in his trespasses and sins. Thus he also preaches the Gospel to those who are broken and contrite. Mark well Isaiah's words of comfort, just like Jesus' words of comfort throughout the Gospels. My yoke is easy and my burden is light. The preacher delivers the comfort of Christ, the soothing salve of the forgiveness of sins to those who need it. Ultimately the preacher declares the Word of God for the sake of comfort, and not just any comfort. He preaches for your comfort.