God’s Favor

Isaiah 61:1-2a The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
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Luke 4:18-20 (Jesus said) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
 
HERE is the Holy Trinity. The “Spirit” of the LORD (the Father) is upon “me” ( the Son). This is the Word made flesh (John 1) to speak God’s Word to the synagogue congregation in Nazareth. See how precisely Jesus teaches God’s Word is true. Isaiah prophesied. Jesus fulfilled it. In the triune God’s favor – his grace, love, mercy and forgiveness – the Son comes in the Father’s will under the Spirit’s power to free us from sin’s bondage.
   This is the gospel. Isaiah spoke the God’s coming favor. God’s favor became flesh – a living, teaching, righteous man. This is why it is now possible for such “born-again” teachings as Paul writes in Ephesians 2:1-6 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
   Further, this is the reality of Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 
   Jesus is God’s Favor. With a servant’s heart, hands and feet, he has come to release our souls into eternal life. How glorious is the Lord’s Favor. Praise the Lord.
 
Prayer: We receive your Favor, Lord. His name is Jesus. We confess he has fulfilled Scripture’s salvation promise. Amen.