Jesus and the Jubilee

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God;To comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, To give unto them beauty for ashes,The oil of joy for mourning,The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they might be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:1–3 (KJV)

The prophet Isaiah proclaims rescue and release for God’s people (Isaiah 61:1–3). This is to be a glorious Jubilee. God will do this great work through his servant, who will be the redeemer of his poor, broken and enslaved people.

When Jesus begins his public ministry, he teaches in the synagogue at Nazareth. He takes this scripture from Isaiah for his text, and astounds his hearers by proclaiming that the prophet’s words have now come true.

Jesus claims that he is the servant described in Isaiah’s prophecy, whose mission is to proclaim and demonstrate God’s Jubilee (Luke 4:16–30). His hearers in Nazareth are outraged by what seems to them a blasphemy. They try to kill him.

The Year of The Lord is Upon Us. The Year of Jubilee is Here. I’m so glad that Jesus set me free. Singing Glory Hallelujah! Jesus lifted me.

Brother Aaron Montague, MBA; MDIV