March 6
"There were three annual feasts, the Passover, the Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles, at which all the men of Israel were commanded to appear before the Lord at Jerusalem. Of these feasts the Passover was the most largely attended. Many were present from all countries where the Jews were scattered. From every part of Palestine the worshipers came in great numbers. The journey from Galilee occupied several days, and the travellers united in large companies for companionship and protection. The women and aged men rode upon oxen or asses over the steep and rocky roads. The stronger men and the youth journeyed on foot."
Desire of Ages, page 76 from the chapter, 'The Passover visit'
Jesus was in the midst of all of this. True, there was the religious celebration, but the ascent from Nazareth in a great company would have been a wonderful celebration for a young man.
You can guess, of course, that the older men – the 14 year olds who had passed this way before right through to the oldest traveller would be making remarks on the lines of, “you’ll be a man tomorrow my son”.
Jesus would have a greater objective in mind but could not have failed to get caught up with the dual celebration. He had his own Bar Mitzvah to look forward to, and his first Passover as a man. Who could fail to be excited?
If we were planning a special celebration to mark our own passage from one phase of our life to another we would need to make sure that there would be celebration as part of the event.![]() |