John 2:13, The Passover

13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

Unlike the other gospel writers, John carefully records all the Jewish festivals Jesus attends during his ministry, including three Passovers Jesus celebrated in Jerusalem. From John, and John alone, we can determine that Jesus’ active ministry after his baptism lasts some three years.

The Passover derives from Israel’s exodus from Egypt, and it is commanded by God to be celebrated annually. With the building of the temple in Jerusalem, the Passover festival was primarily celebrated there, as the Jews understood the temple to be the place God dwells with his people. As Jesus “comes up” (in elevation) to Jerusalem from Galilee, God is physically dwelling with his people.

Of course, Jesus will return to Jerusalem two years later for his final Passover. The Passover is the primary Jewish feast that points to who Jesus will be as the Messiah. John the baptizer has already called him “the Lamb of God,” which is the animal slain for the festival, the animal whose blood spared each Israelite family in Egypt from the death of their firstborn son. One wonders if as Jesus enters Jerusalem, did he know in two more years he would be celebrating his last Passover? Did he know how his sacrificial death upon the cross would reflect the symbolism and meaning of the original Passover?

On this Christmas Day, focus on the cross of Jesus and upon him who hung there—the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the word—and give him your worship.