“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. In the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
It’s good news when a poor person’s circumstances change for the better, when someone who is brokenhearted finds encouragement, or when prisoners are set free. It would be even better news if poverty itself was eradicated, if no one again suffered sadness or depression or loss, and if injustice of every kind was eliminated from the earth. The best of news would be when all of that happens, and the human race is set free from sin and death. That’s the gospel of Jesus Christ! Isaiah spoke of the “year of the Lord’s favor.” This might refer to the Year of Jubilee from Leviticus 25 where the people were commanded every 50 years to forgive all debts, free all slaves, and perform an overall economic “reset.” But even that great event merely foretold the greater reset that would be performed by the Messiah. After Him, things would never go wrong again. Is the world still tainted by sin? Oh, yes. But Jesus has undone it all. He accomplishes our Jubilee with His blood. By His Spirit we receive blessings, healing, and freedom.



Scripture Focus

Isaiah 61:1-3

Insight

“Do you believe? Then you… have God’s guarantee for it—you are free! Rejoice in your liberty!” (Charles H. Spurgeon, August 12, 1877)

Bible In A Year

  • 1 Kings 19-20
  • Proverbs 9
  • Hebrews 12

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