2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Numbers 26:1-51 ESV, Luke 2:36-52 ESV, Psalm 60:1-12 ESV, Proverbs 11:15 ESV
Daily Verse: “And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.” (Mark 2:42 ESV)
ETHOS (1485): “a noun, means ‘a habit, custom’ and is translated ‘manner.’ It denotes ‘a custom, usage, prescribed by law.”[i]
Customs connect.
Every year, Joseph and Mary made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover, a joyous time of thanksgiving and offerings. In Jesus’ twelfth year, He went with them, deciding to stay a few extra days. Three days later, Mary and Joseph found Jesus hanging out with the teachers at the temple.
Custom brought the family to the Temple, which allowed Jesus to talk to the teachers. If they didn’t come to the festival, Jesus wouldn’t have had the chance. Stopping the daily routine and keeping a tradition helps keep perspective and contact with people.
Make an effort.
My husband loves tradition more than me. Celebrating ten years of marriage in 2022, we started customs the year we married. As time slipped by, we began new ones. For instance, we repeat our first date on the anniversary. By recreating the actions, we freshly reconnect with each other.
Mary and Joseph’s attendance at the Feast of Passover reminded them of God’s goodness in their lives, allowing them to reconnect with the Creator. When Jesus travels with them, the custom starts His conversation with the religious leaders, continuing throughout His lifetime.
If we don’t keep the custom, we miss the connection. Like attending church on Sundays, regular attendance deepens your relationships and brings you into contact with other believers who will help you on the journey. Only God knows what He will do with our faithfulness. But in the meantime, we’ll connect and grow in God’s family.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 67) Thomas Nelson
