THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD

 Isaiah 61:1-11

Saturday, 08 August 2026

“The Spirit of the LORD God is upon Me,Because the LORD has anointed MeTo preach good tidings to the poor;”– Isaiah 61:1

Here in Isaiah 61 is yet another Messianic prophecy and in Jesus’ reading of it (Vs.1-3) at the beginning of His ministry (Luke 4) helps us understand its fulfilment in Him. Yet we see that He had omitted reading, “And the day of vengeance of our God;” (v.2) as it is to be fulfilled at His Second Coming. 

The overall content of Isaiah 61 pertains to the salvation of Israel from captivity and settling in their land with their God-given purpose being fulfilled which will bring gladness and joy to the nation. But when we consider the first 3 verses in connection to Jesus as the Messiah, we can see how He fulfils this prophecy:

• The Good News

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry Mark records “…Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15). Gospel is nothing but good news! The Good News He brought is that people can enter God’s Kingdom by believing and trusting Him for their salvation. God sent His only Son into the world so that no one should perish who believe in Him(John 3:16). The Good Tidings is for all people (Luke 2:10).

• The Acceptable Year of the Lord 

The “acceptable year of the LORD” (v.2) has an Old Testament significance which will help us understand the rest of the content of Vs 2-3. During the annual celebration of the day of Atonement and in the Jubilee year (every 25 years), the shofar (the trumpet) was blown in the land of Israel to proclaim liberty to all who had debts that they would be released from it(Lev.25:9,10). It was a jubilee in the land! All debts were cancelled and those who sold themselves to slavery were released. It is also referred to as the year of the Lord’s favor!

Now, people in Jesus’ days lived in a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment under the oppressive Roman government. Being under their captivity, they experienced harsh treatment, poverty, servitude from which they longed for deliverance. Besides there were people bound by illnesses, made captive by demons that oppressed their body and soul. We see in the Gospels how Jesus healed the sick, set free those under the bondage of evil spirits, comforting those who mourned, feeding the hungry, etc. Hence Jesus truly proclaimed the year of the Lord’s favor by the varied means of salvation He brought to people! It was Jubilee!

• Beauty for ashes & Oil of joy

In restoring people’s lives that had no hope and reviving them from the depths of despair, Jesus actually brought them beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for the mourning and put on them a garment of praise instead of a spirit of heaviness! What an exchange! The recipients of such blessing in their lives would flourish like oak trees- standing strong, reflecting the Lord’s work  in them and thus bringing glory to Him!

Friend, you may be wondering what all of this is about! Well, Jesus in His first coming indeed proclaimed the good tidings- “the acceptable year of the Lord” which is still open until His Second Coming when the Day of the Lord’s vengeance will come into effect to a world that ignored His Good News of Salvation! Jesus paid the penalty for your sin so would be set free from its bondage. God’s judgment will surely come upon those who spurned His Son whom He sent into world to be reconciled to God (cf. 2Cor.5:19-21). Would you receive that good tidings by yielding your life to Christ that He may clothe you with “the garment of salvation” and “the robe of His righteousness” (Is.61:10)? Then you too can rejoice in your salvation—a jubilee in enjoying the year of the Lord’s favor!

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

My soul shall be joyful in my God;…. - Isaiah 61:10

Listen: 'This is my desire to honor You'