Friday, February 8, 2019
Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me … to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
(THANKS TO JESUS) EACH YEAR IS A SWEET, FAVORABLE YEAR
In the Old Testament there was a year that arrived on the calendar every fifty years called “the Year of Jubilee.” It was a time of joyful celebrating among the Israelites. Why? Because here's what happened during that year: 1) all slaves were freed from their life of servitude, 2) all inmates were let out of prison, 3) all debts were cancelled, and 4) all property was returned to its original owner. It was like a rebooting of everyone’s lives, when each person in Israel was given a brand new lease on life, a fresh start.
When Jesus proclaimed to the people in the Nazareth synagogue: “I have been sent to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,” He was announcing something far more wonderful (which the Old Testament “Year of Jubilee” only pictured), and not just for people of Israelite descent but all people: I, your Redeemer, have come to emancipate you who by nature are slaves to sin. The debt you owe God for your sin-guilt I will pay on the cross so it will be permanently erased from the divine ledger. Through faith in Me, your heaven-sent Savior, your heavenly Father will adopt you into His family. You will become His treasured children (yes, you who used to be wretched, sorry outcasts from His family).
What a glorious message it was Jesus proclaimed in the synagogue that day and that He proclaims for the comfort of our souls today! What gladness is ours to know that these blessings of Christ are ours, not once every fifty years, but each and every year. Thanks to His completed work as the Messiah every year has become for us a sweet, favorable year!
Now I have found the firm foundation Which holds mine anchor ever sure;
'Twas laid before the world’s creation In Christ my Savior’s wounds secure;
Foundation which unmoved shall stay When heaven and earth will pass away.
O depth of love, to me revealing The sea where my sins disappear!
In Christ my wounds find perfect healing, There is no condemnation here;
For Jesus’ blood through earth and skies Forever “Mercy! Mercy!” cries.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 385:1, 4)
