Page 87 - Advanced Life of Christ - Student Textbook

From Galilee to Jerusalem

The second segment of Jesus’ ministry is His journey from His native Galilee toward Jerusalem during
the final year of His life. The Synoptic Gospels relate only one visit to Jerusalem by Jesus during His
ministry years -his final visit that ended in His crucifixion. However, the Gospel of John reports a series
of visits corresponding to the traditional Jewish pilgrimage feasts.

Only Luke gives extended attention to Jesus’ specific journey from Galilee to Judea. Much of the
information about Jesus’ ministry that is unique to the Gospel of Luke is found in Luke 9:51 through
18:14 in which Luke emphasizes Jesus’ ultimate destination, Jerusalem. Jesus’ main ministry was with
his disciples, teaching them the meaning of discipleship. All during this time, he steadfastly continued
His journey south to the Holy City and toward the climax of His earthly ministry.

The Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles, also known as the Feast of Booths or Sukkot, was
celebrated at the end of the grape harvest in September and October. The Feast takes place on the 15
th
of the Hebrew month Tishri. It begins five days after the Day of Atonement and at the time the fall
harvest had just been completed. The seven days of this feast were a time for great joy. It was a
celebration of God’s continued provision for them in the current harvest as well as a time of
remembering His provision and protection during the 40 years in the wilderness.

Where did Sukkah originate?
“Tabernacles” and “booths” are attempts to translate sukkot into English. The singular form is sukkah.
A sukkah is a makeshift shade from the sun made from readily available materials. For example, during
the harvest season of late summer, a laborer might rise early and work throughout the morning. Then as
the oppressive midday sun bears down, he takes a break. Using leftover plant stalks, leaves, and
branches, he constructs a simple shelter to provide him with shade.

One traveling through Israel’s countryside during the harvest season in biblical times would no doubt
have seen many of these little shelters in fields, vineyards, and orchards. But they are not just for
harvest. Jonah also built such a sukkah to sit in as he waited to see what would come of Nineveh (Jonah
4:5). Jacob built sukkot for his cattle in his journeys, and actually named the place after them (Genesis
33:17).

When the ancient Israelites emerged from Egypt, they left their houses behind. At first, they would not
even have had tents to pitch to protect themselves. They would have gathered whatever brush they
could find to keep the sun off their heads. God himself also sheltered them from the sun’s rays; his
presence was the sukkah they needed!

Because of its uses, the sukkah is a symbol for both harvest and sojourning.

The Biblical Source
Given this information, let’s take a look at the institution of this holiday in the Bible:
Speak to the people of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month and for seven days is
the Feast of Booths [Sukkot] to the LORD. (Leviticus 23:34 ESV)

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall
celebrate the feast of the LORD seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day

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