In her Accession Day message, the Queen said that she hopes the Platinum Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities. She said that the Jubilee “affords me a time to reflect on the goodwill shown to me by people of all nationalities, faiths and ages in this country and around the world over these years“. She thanked everyone for their support, loyalty and affection, and signed the message “Your Servant“.
The Queen has done a great deal for her people and Country over the years. Many special edition books have been created for her Platinum Jubilee detailing her life and service to God and Country.
Biblically the year of Jubilee goes much further back in history. We find the first reference to Jubilee, as part of the law given by Yahweh to the Israelites. The word “jubilee” (literally “ram’s horn” in Hebrew) is defined in Leviticus 25:9 as the sabbatical year after seven cycles of seven years (49 years). The fiftieth year was to be a time of celebration and rejoicing for the Israelites. The ram’s horn was blown on the tenth day of the seventh month to start the fiftieth year of universal redemption.
The Year of the Jubilee involved a year of release from indebtedness (Leviticus 25:23-38) and all types of bondage. All prisoners and captives were set free, all slaves were released, all debts were forgiven, and all property was returned to its original owners. In addition, all labour was to cease for one year, and those bound by labour contracts were released from them. One of the benefits of the Jubilee was that both the land and the people were able to rest.
The Jubilee presents a beautiful picture of the New Testament themes of redemption and forgiveness. Christ is the Redeemer who came to set free those who are slaves and prisoners to sin. The debt of sin we owe to God was paid on the cross as Jesus died on our behalf, and we are forgiven the debt forever. We are no longer in bondage, no longer slaves to sin, having been freed by Christ. We can truly enter the rest God provides, as we cease labouring to make ourselves acceptable to God by our own works.
Let us take time to reflect upon the freedom we have in Christ and let us serve God and one another, building each other up with affirming words. All coming together as one people, freed and forgiven to celebrate the completeness and wholeness of life. May this year of Jubilee be a year of restoration as we rejoice in God’s love. Amen.
 | David Skeet is our church team leader. Taken from the latest edition of our bi-monthly church newsletter. |