Jesus and Jubilee Luke 4:18,19

A jubilee is a celebration or commemoration or anniversary. It stems from "jubilation" or joyful celebration. Leviticus 25 lays out several rituals to follow at the onset of the observance.

The aim: the restoration of equity among the Israelites.

America is approaching a moment of national jubilation, celebrating its semi quincentennial or the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a document which reads in part that "all men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights".

Organizers of the event suggest the celebration is to highlight the nation's founding and to inspire a renewed sense of "Our American story".

Our American story is not a single story, but rather, it is a metanarrative, a story woven into the garment of many stories.

Yet tragically, our story as a nation has too often included chapters of bigotry, of racial apartheid, of injustice, and of maltreatment of the poor. USAID cuts, for example, has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands across the globe.

In the text, Jesus announces his own "declaration", and a new "jubilee".

His declaration is trustworthy: "the Spirit of the Lord is upon me and has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor; to proclaim liberty to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty those who are oppressed" (vv 18,19).

This jubilee will, says Christ, proclaim "the year of the Lord's favor". Jesus makes this declaration after his temptation in the wilderness and his return to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit".

This jubilee will be based on justice, fulfilling the prophetic voices which clamored for its realization.

From Genesis to Revelations, we see what God "favors": peace and justice, fair treatment of the poor, the orphan, the widow and the indigent.

God favors those who will echo and actuate Micah 6:8: "He has told you what is good and what the Lord requires, but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God."

As America approaches its vaunted celebration this summer, we must remember the declaration of Christ and work to dismantle corrupt systems by equipping believers to become change-agents for peace and justice.

Pastor C. can be reached at: info@pastorwericcroomes.com