Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 04, 2023: SOAP #4780: Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 4:17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke (KJV) 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  A part of Jesus’s assignment was to “proclaim/preach the year of the Lord’s favor.”  Because of Jesus’ death, sinful man could approach the Holy God and be accepted; he could find favor. 

APPLICATION: Very likely, every Jew living in Jerusalem, probably in all of Israel, knew the limitations of Jewish worship.  Gentiles were not accepted in the temple area.  Only Jewish men could enter.   And only the high priest could enter the Holiest of Holies; all others were not accepted. 

But in Jesus, God’s favor was shown to man.  When Jesus died, the veil that hung before the Holiest of Holies was torn from top to bottom.  (Matthew 27:52)  The veil that once said, “Keep out,” now said “Welcome!”

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, Your Son, Jesus, died to make a way for me to enter your presence where I am now accepted and welcomed.  Today is the day of salvation; this is the year I find favor and I am accepted. Today, may my life express my appreciation.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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