Lesson 307

(Lesson 307)(06-15-12) John 11:54-57, "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him."

This lessons tells how Jesus evaded the Jewish leadership until it was time for Him to return to Jerusalem to complete His testimony.

The High Priest's and Pharisees began the plot to capture Jesus when He came to celebrate the Passover.

The Passover meal is what modern "Christians" model "communion", or "The Lord's Supper from. Passover, however, is a uniquely Jewish celebratory rite ordered upon the Hebrew people, by God Himself,during their escape from Egyptian bondage.

It is Jewish religious tradition to "purify" oneself before participation in any religious event. This water cleansing, immersion for purification, is where our modern water "baptism" came from. ~~