Before a packed synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus was asked to read Scripture and say a few words. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him, and Jesus unrolled it to the place which we know as chapter 61. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,” He began, as the Messianic job description was reviewed in the hearing of all. God’s anointed One would proclaim good news to the poor, liberty to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. Jesus’ reading concluded with the proclamation of the year of God’s favor. Then He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. With the eyes of everyone still on Him, Jesus delivered a memorable sermon of nine words: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” So Jesus defines His ministry as helping people in trouble, people in bondage, and people whose hearts are broken. And how does He do it? By preaching. He proclaims good news: God cares, and He saves those who are hurting from the effects of sin. In the Old Testament, every fiftieth year was called the Year of Jubilee. Israel was to “proclaim liberty throughout the land,” canceling all debts and returning all family property to the original owners. This is the mission of Jesus in your life. If you will receive Him, His cross cancels the debt you owe God for your sins. Praise the Lord, you’re free to start anew, leaving the past behind and moving on with a heart full of joyful praise. When Jesus read this passage at Nazareth, He stopped, crucially, in the middle of the second verse. The Messiah would bring to pass both the year of God’s favor and the day of God’s vengeance, but not at the same time. At His first coming, He inaugurated the year of favor, but the day of vengeance awaits His return. We are now living in the gap between the first and second lines of verse 2. For as long as this season of favor lasts, Christ continues to use the preaching of His gospel to replace mourning with gladness. And the result will be strong Christians, planted as “oaks of righteousness” for God’s glory (v 1-3). If the initial installment of these blessings took place in the Jews’ return from exile and the first restoration of ruined cities (v 4), the ultimate fulfillment far exceeds their experience. God promises to bring back everything sin has ruined. And the mourners of verse 3 become the repair experts of verse 4, serving with the dignity of priests! They will stand out in human society as heroic, and their joy will last forever (v 5-7). The LORD is resolved to accomplish these glorious purposes. Comparing His joy to that of a wedding celebration, Christ Himself rejoices in the worldwide salvation God will work through Him (v 8-11). For further meditation: