2017 — The Year of Jubilee
(scroll below for downloadable backgrounds)
And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke 4:17–21
At the beginning of each year, our Pastors invest time praying and listening for God to speak a word that will guide us throughout the year. This year, we believe that word to be Jubilee!
In the Bible, jubilee refers to the acceptable year of Lord’s favor where debts are released — completely forgiven. These debts can take the form of spiritual debts (i.e., unforgiven sins that hold people in spiritual bondage), financial debts and even relational debts that have resulted in broken marriages, families and friendships.
Jubilee is a promise for God’s release in our lives. In Biblical Israel, the year of Jubilee was set every 50 years; the first year after the 49th year. (It’s interesting that the 49 is a multiple of seven sevens (7 x 7 = 49); 7 is the Biblical number of completion.) At the end of 49 years, the people of Israel understood that all slaves and debts were required to be released. This prophetically spoke of the time that the Messiah, who we know and believe to be Jesus, would come and free God’s people from bondage.
In the passage above, Jesus, stands up in a local synagogue and reads from the book of Isaiah, where it reads:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me… to preach the gospel to the poor, Heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.
This powerful passage speaks to Jesus’ purpose and assignment in coming to the earth — His purpose is as true today as it was then. God is releasing His anointing on your life to:
- Preach Good News to those who recognize their need for God;
- Heal hearts that have been broken by disappointments in life;
- Move miraculously in and through your life by opening blinded eyes both naturally and spiritually; and
- Free you and those around you from demonic oppression.
God is declaring that 2017 is the acceptable year of the Lord’s favor in your Life. Isn’t that exciting!?!?
May the things that you have long been praying for, that are in line with His will, be released into your life in 2017!
Attached are some backgrounds our creative team designed for you to use on phones, tablets and computers. We pray that they remind you of God’s promise of release for your life.
Remember, 2017 is your year of Jubilee!
