By Richard Lawton

Jesus inaugurated his ministry in Nazareth with adeclaration that he had come to “proclaim the year of theLord’s favour”, evidenced by the recovery of sight for theblind and the release of the oppressed. Undoubtedly what Jesushad in mind was not a literal 12 month season of God’s blessing,followed by a return to “normal”, but the beginning of a wholenew era, called the kingdom of God, marked by a new grace and”goodwill to men”. This is the “year” in which we now live. Thisis the day that the Lord has made. The kingdom is indeed alreadyhere even if it is not yet in completion.But within the new day called the kingdom of God, there are also seasons when God’s goodness and power seems nearer and more evident in our lives: years of the Lord’s favour within the greater year of the Lord’s favour. [Read more...]