A Sermon Full Of Sevens

A brief background while we have the text fresh in our mind. The number seven is a holy number in the Bible. Every seventh day one was to rest from one’s work, every seventh year would be a sabbath year when one should neither reap nor sow, but the Lord would provide sufficient food anyway. After seven sabbath years (or 49 years) came the so called Jubilee Year. That year one were neither to sow nor reap and land was to be given back to its original owner. This year slaves would be released, debts forgiven and the year was to be completely devoted to the Lord. This is the jubilee year that Christ refers to when he talks about a year of the Lord’s favour. It refers to the year when Messiah was to come and something new with Him.

So, that much for background. St Luke tells us in the gospel about how Jesus came back to his hometown, where he grew up. Here he had played with the other kids on the town square, ran errands for his mother, gone to school and learned the carpenter’s profession from his step father Joseph. Here, he was known, and yet unknown!

Since becoming an adult, Jesus has left Nazareth and established himself elsewhere. The people of Nazareth think they know him, can label him. Joseph and Mary’s son (admittedly born outside of wedlock), a boy who has played with our kids and been like us. We know where we have him!

Yet, they cannot have missed all the rumours about the happenings surrounding Jesus – sick being healed, miracles and signs taking place truly transforming lives. Can this be the same boy we know from of old? They are all curious and want to know more. Everyone is gathered in the synagogue and all eyes are on him. One can imagine that there’s also a certain amount of scepticism – who does he think he is?

In the ark (or holy chamber) in the front of the synagogue you’ll find the scrolls. Those are the holy scriptures that are being read on the sabbath. Seven men first each read a passage from the Pentateuch, and after that we turn to the Prophets. Today’s text is the prophet Isaiah, and it’s a great honour to be appointed as the lector. The task is given to Jesus, their honoured guest, and he soon finds the passage in chapter 61 that is to become his manifest.

This is a prophecy about Messiah, he who was to come, and what would identify him: good news for the poor, release of the prisoners, sight for the blind and freedom for the oppressed. This will happen when the Anointed comes, he who is full of the Holy Spirit, he who will start the Jubilee Year.

And with excitement and expectations dialled up high, Jesus comes with the explosive words – “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing”. In other words, the Jubilee Year has begun, Messiah is here – it’s me!

One might ask – is this relevant for us sitting here on Kensal Road today? Can we not just date this event to about year 30 AD and move on? Still – it’s what we came here to hear. Every Sunday we hear about Him who came with a different message, He who raises hope within us that things can, indeed, get better.

Somewhere within us we all wish that there is a road to take to more life and more joy – not less. That there’ll be a focus for our longing, our love and our dedication. And here we hear that there is someone who is all this for us, and more.

In Nazareth they handed over their most precious belonging to Jesus – the Torah scroll. We can also give our most precious belonging to Him – our lives. He can help us to open them, read them and give us its meaning. But our lives are sometimes like the scroll with seven seals we see mention in the book of Revelation – John cries that there is no one who can open them. One of his elders consoles him – “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Jesus can open. He can interpret your life. There’s something fascinating about Jesus – the Holy Spirit is upon him. Heavenly powers are at work. With him you’re both seen and learn to see what you couldn’t see.

The Spirit that was on Christ that day in the synagogue is at work even today. The Spirit is life-giving and makes sure that what happened then also happens now. Bridges the wide gap from then to now, so that you and I can recognise ourselves in the Scripture and think – This is about me, this is about my life. I too am poor, tired and empty. I too need someone to see me and fill me and help me live.