Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Jubilee in the Ministry of the NT Church

OK Cyberworld. Consider this thought.

The year of Jubilee in Lev. 25 is the subject of this entry. The prophet Isaiah, in Isa. 61, focuses on the Jewish return to Canaan as a fulfillment of the year of Jubilee, thus seeing it in the guse of political renewal and restoration. Isa. 61 is quoted by Christ in Luke 4 as being fulfilled in His first advent. Yet, the New Testament makes clear that the coming of Christ was for the atonement of sins, not merely the earthly restoration of the sick and the fulfillment of debts. Jesus' earthly ministry was focused on both the provision of the material (healing of the sick, feeding of the hungry, etc.). He was not only focused on the material provision of the people, but more so on their spiritual salvation. The dual aspect of His ministry then, according to Luke, is Christ's fulfillment of the Year of Jubilee. Christ is the One who brings healing and the cancellation of debts. Yet, He is the One who is brings the ultimate and final healing from sin and the cancellation of the sin-debt. This is significant in understanding the Biblical Theological foundation for the ministry of the church in its function in the works of compassion, embodied in the office of the DEACONS, and the preaching of the Gospel, embodied in the office of the ELDERS. That dual role of the church (DIACONAL and DISCIPLESHIP) reflects the role of the Head of the Church, namely Christ, who is portrayed as the great fulfillment of Jubilee of Lev. 25.

OK, I know that this is connecting dots without much exegetical evidence, but any thoughts on this possible connection?