The Life of Christ

• Number 2: The second Passover is called the “Mystery Passover” since the name of the feast is not given (Jn. 5:1).

After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem (Jn. 5:1).

• Number 3: Jn. 6:4 is considered the Passover that occurred the year before the crucifixion, meaning Jesus has only one more year of ministry left (Jn. 6:4-5). At this Passover Jesus feeds the 5000. • Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do (Jn. 6:4-5).

• Number 4: He died on the Passover (Lk. 22:7; Jn. 11:55). Jesus was our Passover Lamb.

Four Passovers create a defined period of three years.

• We must also add His first six months of ministry that consisted of His baptism, forty days in the wilderness, meeting His first disciples, attending the wedding of Cana, and finally making His first trip to the Temple since starting His ministry. • An additional confirmation of a 3½-year ministry is found in the study of Daniel's 70 Week Prophecy. The final 7-year week divides into two half-weeks according to Dan. 9:27: “ And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice.” It’s thought that this “putting a stop to sacrifice” occurred at the cross. An end of sacrifice means God no longer accepted animal sacrifices after the cross. The prior 3½-years leading up to the cross (in the middle of the week) is thought to be the duration of Jesus’ ministry (Dan. 9:24-27). Jn. 6:5 Jesus therefore lifting up His eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?”

Jesus ’ first comment to the disciples reflected His priority upon hospitality.

• One of the requirements of an elder is to be given to hospitality (1 Tim. 3:2).

• A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach (1 Tim. 3:2).

• 1Pet. 4:9 adds, “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”

Of all the disciples, why ask Philip?

• Lk. 9:10 says they were in Bethsaida; Jn. 1:44 says that Philip, along with Andrew and Peter, were also from Bethsaida. Philip, having knowledge of this local area, would be well informed to make a practical recommendation. Jn. 6:6 And this He was saying to test him; for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. This is one of Jesus' teaching methods.

• This approach is to ask one of your students a question, while knowing the answer all along.

• Jesus is the Master Teacher, who throughout His ministry illustrates a variety of different teaching techniques, this being one of them.

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