Scripture: John 5:1 (ESV)
“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.”
With this verse, the scene shifts once again—Jesus goes up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish feasts. Though John does not specify which feast, the detail serves a larger purpose: it marks a new phase in Jesus’ ministry, one that moves from the countryside into the heart of religious life in Israel.
John Calvin sees in this movement the deliberate obedience of Christ. Jesus does not go up to Jerusalem for leisure or spectacle, but to fulfill the law. “Though Christ was free from the yoke of the law,” Calvin writes, “He voluntarily subjected Himself to it, that He might not be a stumbling-block to others.” Even in matters like attending feasts, Jesus honors the ceremonial obligations of the people, walking in humility and righteousness.
J.C. Ryle emphasizes the significance of Jesus going up to Jerusalem. He reminds us that wherever Jesus goes, He goes intentionally. “Every journey of our Lord was full of meaning,” Ryle writes. Jesus is not wandering—He is pursuing souls. This feast, and this trip, will become the backdrop for one of the most profound acts of healing in the Gospel—and one of the most confrontational moments with the religious leaders.
There is also something quietly instructive here: even Jesus attended the gathered worship of His people. He moved among the crowds. He placed Himself where hurting people were. And He never lost sight of His mission—to seek and save the lost.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you recognize that God often works through ordinary rhythms—like a gathering, a feast, a routine trip?
- How might Christ’s intentional obedience to the law challenge or inspire your own spiritual disciplines?
- Are you aware of how God may use “ordinary” places in your life as divine appointments?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your obedience—even in the details. You walked faithfully, fulfilling the law, submitting to every good command. Teach us to follow Your example with humility and purpose. And as we go about our own daily routines, help us to see them as opportunities to encounter You and to serve others. May we never overlook the places where You are present and working. In Your name, Amen.
Covenant Presbyterian Church 