Favor for Ishmel and Massoud

In the Torah, God proclaimed that every 50th year it was to be the year of Jubilee, a year of reconciliation and restoration. “A trumpet was blown, and throughout the whole land a proclamation was made that extended liberty to slaves, a remission of debts, and the restoration of possessions to their original families” (Leviticus 25:8-13).

For the poor, destitute and indentured, this was indeed a time for great celebration. Slavery had ended, all debts were forgiven, and property once ceased was returned to the rightful owners. God set forth this holy provision as the ultimate ‘do-over’.

We all love a ‘do-over’, a chance to do things differently, to start afresh and begin anew but on a different path. And it is for this reason that God designed this directive, the Year of Jubilee. God loves mercy. He is mercy and His kingdom is a kingdom of mercy and grace. God hovers over the whole earth seeking the vulnerable, those without a benefactor, and enslaved so that He can manifest His glory, Himself, Grace. He longs to bestow grace and rescue. After all, God is in the rescuing business. This is what God loves to do and does best. Unfortunately for most of us, it is only those who are vulnerable, who see the need of it, the need of Him. It is hard to fill up a cup that is already filled.

Generations upon generations passed and the Year of Jubilee edict was forgotten, until one day, a prophet was revealed. This was not an ordinary man dressed in a robe, with human frailties and claiming visions for future peoples. It was God. God omniscient, creator of all life, yet God in human flesh and it was for this edict that Jesus the Messiah, Isa al mesiah came.

Of Jubilee He said,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).

It is for this, that Jesus came. He longs to rescue and bestow grace to Massoud and Ishmael. Jesus longs to free Jamil and Muhammed. Jesus greatly desires to heal and bring sight to Joe and Susan. And Jesus proclaims His favor, the blessing of His presence to David and Elianna. God seeks to rescue all. It is what He does best. He is God and in the rescuing business.

Jesus, Holy God and rescuer of my soul, there are those who are blind and in need of sight, help them to see their need. There are those tethered and bound up, show them the sin that binds and holds them fast, but you can break the chains and give liberty. There are those who have been crushed, afflicted, and in grief. Jesus, we pray, please give ones such as these, beauty for ashes, the oil of joy instead of tears of grief, and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness. May your Holy presence bring to these your dear ones, favor, the favor of Your presence and the year of Jubilee. We ask this in your precious, Holy, and powerful name.