Today’s devotion is based on Week 4 of “Resolve”: Listen to the right source! (WATCH HERE)
“Can I ask a favor?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Can I borrow your trailer on Saturday?”
“Sure, no problem.”
Asking of a favor from someone implies that you know that they are not obligated to grant the request. You are asking to tap into the potential generosity of their heart to help you with a situation. If they choose to grant your “favor,” you are grateful. If they choose not to or can’t, ideally, you are understanding.
When Jesus came into the synagogue of Nazareth and read from the scroll of Isaiah, he read, the following: (Luke 4:18-19)
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
…19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Perhaps one might read this and react, “That’s awesome! I get to ask God for any favor and he will give it to me for a year.”
No, Jesus didn’t come to give us a year of our personal requests or to be our personal “sugar daddy” that takes care of everything we want.
No, rather the significance of Jesus’ words is telling us that he is ushering in the reality of God’s grace, God’s undeserved love…God’s favor. The year of the Lord’s favor has nothing to do with the performance of his people. It has everything to do with the heart of the Lord to bring his mercy and grace to people.
No doubt, the people hearing Jesus read these words heard overtones of the “Year of Jubilee” which God gave for Moses to implement in the worship and civil life of Israel every 50 years. The year of Jubilee (Leviticus 24:10-17) was a year that marked forgiveness of debts, restoration of property, and rest for the land. It was a year that was to bring spiritual restoration and renewal to the land of Israel. It was a picture of what Jesus would fulfill.
The “year of the Lord’s favor” is really every year in which we live. Because we live under the completed work of Christ, the Lord freely forgives our debt of sin, he restores to us that from which sin separated us, and gives our hearts rest in the peace that we are right with God.
It’s not just a promise on a page, but a reality that is based on the completed work of Jesus. It is a gift from the heart of the Lord that wants us to realize and live in the grace and forgiveness he brings.
How do we know this year is also a year of the Lord’s favor? Hear the words of the angels at Jesus’ birth:
Luke 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Or as the Apostle Paul said to the Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Now…today…this year…is the year of the Lord’s favor! Enjoy every day living in the reality of God’s grace and forgiveness!
Apply: What difference does it make when you realize you are living each day as a recipient of the Lord’s favor?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for fulfilling the words of Isaiah and bringing us the reality of good news, freedom, spiritual sight, restoration and the Lord’s favor. May we live to your glory expressing thanks for these gifts of grace. AMEN.