Feb. 16, 2021
The Lord spoke to Moses and instructed him how the Israelites were to care for the land. In honor of the Sabbath, they were to let it rest every seventh year and every fiftieth year (seven times seven). The Lord promised if they obeyed His rules, He would provide all they needed and they would live in the land.
The Lord set aside the year of Jubilee as a year property would return to people and servants would be released. He gave instructions for giving and devoting possessions to Him. God was reminding his people that they, their land, and their food were all provided by and belonged to Him.
In these chapters, the Lord promised blessing for obedience. The Israelites could rely on Him for everything they needed. In setting aside the year of Jubilee, He was painting a picture of the freedom, provision, and rest provided through Christ’s atonement.
“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
The Gospel of Matthew concludes by recounting Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The resurrection confirms his identity as the Messiah and that his atoning sacrifice was accepted by God the Father.
People responded in different ways to Jesus rising from the dead. Mary Magdalene and Mary found an empty tomb and an angel declaring the good news. On the way to tell the disciples, they encountered Jesus, and their response was worship.
The guards had a different response. They accepted a bribe as payment for a story that denied the work God had done. The religious leaders and the guards decided to respond in denial and disbelief.
The disciples responded in obedience and met with Jesus in Galilee. Some worshipped Him and some doubted. At this meeting, Jesus gave them the commission that He gives all believers.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20
Make It Personal
- God has provided us rest, restoration, and freedom through Jesus. Are you living in this Jubilee?
- In what areas are you obeying God’s commands? In what areas are you disobeying? Pray a prayer of repentance today over the areas of disobedience.
- Worship is the right and reasonable response to our savior who has defeated sin and death. Is worship your default response to the freedom Jesus has provided?
Learn More
Want to learn more about the gift of rest God gave Israel in the Sabbath year and Jubilee? Listen to this message from Tim Mackie at the Bible Project on Leviticus 25.