The ONE who called us and for what, makes our assembly special.

“His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.” Luke 2:41-42

The only begotten Son of GOD was placed in the earthly care of parents who made service to GOD a priority. This most likely was a 3–5-day journey on foot. Certain variables may impact that estimate. Regardless, it was not as simple as getting into an automobile and driving 15, 30, 45 min or an hour. It was a multiple day journey, yet, they made it every year, because the LORD commanded it. I would suggest this was something they not only felt obligated to do but something they desired to do. How impactful was this in the life of Jesus?

These pilgrimages were often large groups which was the case here as indicated in V44. Consider the excitement that twelve-year-old Jesus had traveling to the Holy Mountain of GOD to commemorate the deliverance that GOD provided for Israel. He was participating in a feast that was as shadow of what He would accomplish 21 years later. He would establish a new memorial meal while keeping the Passover with His disciples on the night He would be betrayed.

Jerusalem was a special place, yet it was not the city itself that made this a special trip, but rather what it was they were going there to do and WHO had called them there to do it. This meal commemorated GOD’S deliverance of HIS people. When the LORD saw the blood on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses where they ate as commanded, He passed over and their houses were delivered from death. Exodus 12:7;13-14;25-27 

How excited are we, as we prepare to assemble to commemorate the sacrifice of our Passover Lamb, Jesus? It is not about the building we gather in. We may dress it up. We may place a cross behind the pulpit and one on the table, but what makes our assembling together special, is what it is that we come to do and WHO has called us to do it.