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.
Christ tells us why he has come, he has come to liberate and heal. This is the good news of the Gospel today!
But then again, you might not get carried away by all of this after all. You’ve heard it before, to quote Shania Twain – that don’t impress me much. You hear it and yawn. A bit like those in the synagogue that day who understood what Jesus said but still couldn’t accept it. Surely, it’s not that simple. Jesus being the Messiah. We know him. It can’t be him. And so, the mood changes and you stop listening.
Many people feel like that about Christianity today. It cannot be the solution. We already know of it. No, we have to look further afield. In the Oriental religions, in New Age or in other world views. The answer cannot be so obvious. We already know it. It’s too simple. It cannot be this. We already know him. Or do we?
But why not allow yourself to be surprised this time? You can discover what’s right there in front of you. Maybe, just maybe, he brings something that fills the deepest voids in your life. He shines the light on your life and lets you discover how poor you are, where you sit with all your gadgets and demands and pettiness. Throw that out, Jesus says. I have something far better to give.
He'll let you discover how tied down you are. Maybe by a person who has power over you, maybe by words said ages ago, you’re hopeless, worthless and stupid. Maybe by things, addictions and substance abuse?
He himself promises freedom for the oppressed. Could that be about you? Have you held yourself back to not stick out like a sore thumb? Have people trod on you, laughed about you behind your back and called you names? Maybe you have been the bully, oppressing others to make yourself feel better?
Let yourself and your life be touched by him who knows your true value. Someone comes in and shines a light of hope in your life. Something happen – you’re given the love of God. You’re feeling valued and previous. You’re given power to get up, roll your sleeves up and get stuck into it!
But, this does not happen to us without asking. Jesus doesn’t come and force his solutions on us. He wants our YES. Yes, Jesus, I want to open my life to you! Yes, Jesus, I want you to come into all my secret closets and help me with what I have there. Yes, Jesus, come into my life with joy and life. Help me see the world, the life and myself through new lenses.
Sometimes, when watching the news, one can easily get the impression that darkness is descending on all of us. Emergency after emergency, and no light in sight. But this isn’t the full truth – there’s another ending to the story. If you read to the very end of your Bible, you will see that there is a greater plan for us than to just fizzle out into nothingness. God wants to give us a future and a hope. The light of hope has been lit with and through Christ Jesus, and that light can shine in you and me too, to give hope to the world, and courage to face the future.
