Quest 27
YOU ARE IN THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.
Jesus went to his hometown synagogue in Nazareth, where he was the guest speaker. He rolled the scroll to Isaiah 61 and read (Luke 4:18-21) -
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” *
And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
* “The year of the Lord’s favor” was a reference to the Year of Jubilee.
What was the Year of Jubilee?
(Leviticus 25:23-38)
It was to happen every 50th year.
It involved a year of release from indebtedness and all types of bondage.
All prisoners and captives were set free, all slaves were released, all debts were forgiven, and all property was returned to its original owners.
In addition, all labor was to cease for one year, and those bound by labor contracts were released from them.
One of the benefits of the Jubilee was that both the land and the people were able to rest.
Jubilee (definition): acknowledge a significant or happy day or event with a social gathering or enjoyable activity.
1. Celebrate on Sunday because the Gospel (good news) was preached to you.
…proclaim good news to the poor…
Matthew 5:3 - “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
1 Corinthians 1:28-29 - God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
2. Celebrate on Sunday because you have been released from the slavery of sin.
…proclaim liberty to the captives…
· John 8:34-36 - Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
3. Celebrate on Sunday because you can see.
…recovering of sight to the blind…
2 Corinthians 4:4 - “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
John 9:39 - Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”
4. Celebrate on Sunday because our crushed hearts were made whole.
…set at liberty those who are oppressed…
Matthew 12:20 - A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.
Matthew 11:28-29 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
5. Celebrate this week by telling someone that it’s Jubilee!
…proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor…
Luke 8:38-39 - Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.
