The Year of the Lord’s Favor

Isaiah 61:1-2 (NIV)
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

Isaiah 61:6-7 (NIV)
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

The Priestly Function can be summarized by three activities:
1) Priests have access to encounter the presence and knowledge of God.
2) Priests instruct by speaking about the knowledge of God and living in a way that reflects the knowledge of God.
3) Priests cultivate a context where others can encounter the knowledge of God.

Samuel Whitefield – “Mercy Before Judgement”

Psalm 34:5 (NIV)
5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.