He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke 4:21 NIV
After his wilderness temptations, Jesus began to travel through Galilee, teaching in the synagogues (Lk. 4:14-15). While in Nazareth, he read from Isaiah 61:1-2 (Lk. 4:16-19) and then announced the fulfillment of that passage.
This passage refers to one whom God had anointed to proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. To announce the year of the Lord’s favor. It alludes, at least in part, to the Year of Jubilee found in Leviticus 25.
The Year of Jubilee was to be observed every 50 years and was a time when all debts would be forgiven, slaves would be set free, and ancestral lands restored to their original owners. A trumpet was to sound on the Day of Atonement, and liberty be proclaimed throughout the land.
Jesus announced here that he was fulfilling what the Year of Jubilee pictured and Isaiah looked forward to. He was announcing good news, the kingdom of God. And he was announcing freedom for those in bondage to sin.
Jesus Is Our Jubilee
The cross of Jesus was what the Day of Atonement looked forward to. Jesus, our great high priest, took the blood of the perfect sacrifice (his own blood) into the heavenly Holy of Holies and offered it on our behalf (Heb. 9:11-12). And, when he did, he announced liberty for all who would come to him.
It was good news for the poor. They were inheritors of the kingdom of God and its riches.
It was freedom for prisoners. For those who were bound in slavery to sin.
It was a recovery of sight for the blind. Spiritual eyes are opened to see and understand the things of the kingdom.
And the oppressed are set free. We may still face difficulties in this world. But we are free. Free to worship and serve our Lord and Creator.
Jesus is our Jubilee!
