Today’s text contains news of great joy to God’s people. In our story today, Jesus reveals Himself as our Jubilee. According to Jewish law, every fifty years they were to celebrate a “year of Jubilee” (Leviticus 25). This amazing event began on the Day of Atonement and accomplished wonderful things for the people of Israel. On this day, all debts were canceled, all slaves were set free, all territory was returned to its rightful owner. Even the land and the people were allowed to rest that year (along with their farming animals) in that the people would only eat from what grew freely on its own. It was a year of redemption, a day of atonement, a year of jubilee!

In these verses, we see Jesus clearly revealing Himself as the Messiah. For he read from a known Messianic text in the book of Isaiah and declared that it was talking about Him. Jesus used this text not only to identify Himself as the Messiah but also precisely clarify what His mission would be as the Messiah…

So, He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then He closed the book and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:16–21)

Jesus came to not only show us the way to God, but to BE our way to God.

Trust Him as your Savior. Follow Him as your Lord.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

Come to Me, all you 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.” (Matthew 11:28–29)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”” (Romans 10:9–11, NKJV)

May you know Him as your Lord and Savior and as your Jubilee!

Pastor Mike