Why did Jesus' family go to Jerusalem every year, according to Luke 2:41? Scripture Focus—Luke 2:41 “Every year His parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover.” Rooted in God’s Command • Deuteronomy 16:16; Exodus 23:14–17; Exodus 34:23—God required every Israelite male to appear before Him three times a year, including at Passover. • Joseph and Mary obeyed this command literally, traveling to Jerusalem annually. • Their consistent obedience shows their wholehearted submission to God’s Word. Passover—Remembering Redemption • Passover commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12). • By going each year, the family kept alive the memory of God’s saving power. • Jesus, even as a child, experienced the sights, sounds, and sacrifices that foretold His own redemptive work (1 Corinthians 5:7). Consistency in Faithful Obedience • “Every year” underscores regular, habitual devotion rather than occasional observance. • Psalm 84:5 speaks of those whose hearts are set on pilgrimage; Joseph and Mary lived that truth. • Their yearly journey testified to genuine piety, not mere cultural custom. Modeling Devotion for the Child Jesus • Proverbs 22:6—parents are to train children in the way they should go. • By honoring the Law, Mary and Joseph provided Jesus with a living example of obedience. • Luke 2:52 later notes Jesus’ growth “in wisdom and stature,” a growth nurtured in this atmosphere of reverence. Foreshadowing Christ’s Mission • Every Passover sacrifice foreshadowed the Lamb of God (John 1:29). • From childhood, Jesus witnessed the shedding of lambs’ blood, pointing to His own future sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11–14). • His parents’ annual pilgrimage placed Him at the very heart of God’s redemptive storyline. Takeaway for Today • God values consistent, heartfelt obedience to His Word. • Remembering His acts of salvation strengthens faith and shapes future generations. • Like Joseph and Mary, believers are called to let Scripture, not convenience, set the calendar of their lives. |
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