What can we learn from Jesus attending the "feast of the Jews"? Jesus and the Rhythm of Worship “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” (John 5:1) • The Lord did not treat the appointed feasts as optional. He moved in step with the calendar God had established through Moses (Leviticus 23). • His participation underscores that the festivals were still relevant and authoritative in His earthly ministry (Matthew 5:17). • By journeying to Jerusalem, He modeled regular, corporate worship rather than a private, isolated faith (Psalm 122:1). Honoring the Father’s Festivals • Each feast was “a statute forever throughout your generations” (Leviticus 23:14, 21, 31). Jesus honored that statute, revealing His submission to the Father’s Word. • His attendance legitimizes the Old Testament celebrations and confirms their divine origin (Deuteronomy 16:16). • The act rebukes any notion that obedience to God’s commands is burdensome (1 John 5:3). Presence and Purpose • Jesus never went to a feast merely as a spectator; He always came ready to reveal God’s heart. John 5 records Him healing the lame man by the Pool of Bethesda, turning a festival into a moment of heaven breaking into earth. • This shows that gatherings around God’s Word and ordinances are prime opportunities for divine intervention (Mark 2:1-12). Compassion Wrapped in Celebration • While others celebrated traditions, Jesus sought the hurting. His eyes landed on the forgotten man who had “had an infirmity thirty-eight years” (John 5:5). • The narrative teaches that true worship includes mercy (Hosea 6:6). Celebrations that neglect compassion miss God’s intent. Teaching Beyond Tradition • When confronted for healing on the Sabbath, Jesus declared, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working.” (John 5:17) • He used the feast context to unveil deeper theology: His equality with the Father (John 5:18-23). • Festivals thus become classrooms where doctrine is clarified and faith is strengthened. Foreshadowing the Cross • Each feast pointed to Him—Passover to His sacrifice (1 Corinthians 5:7), Firstfruits to His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20), Tabernacles to His future kingdom (Zechariah 14:16). • By attending, Jesus affirmed that He is the substance behind every shadow (Colossians 2:16-17). Practical Takeaways for Today • Prioritize gathering with God’s people; Jesus did. • Approach every service expecting both teaching and tangible acts of mercy. • Let Scripture, not convenience, set your calendar. • See Christ at the center of every biblical ordinance. • Use celebrations to witness—Jesus’ works at the feast drew seekers and stirred conversations about His identity. In following the Master to the “feast of the Jews,” we learn that obedience, worship, compassion, and revelation intertwine whenever God’s people gather around His appointed times. |
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