In our last post, we mentioned what some people in Freemasonry apparently consider an unlucky number -- 33. The reason: Jesus died at that age. The thinking behind this comes from the book of Luke:
Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.... -- Luke 3:23
Many Bible scholars believe Jesus's ministry lasted 3 1/2 years, based on a prophecy in Daniel 9. So the Lord would have been 33 when He was crucified. But if that makes 33 a bad number, how do we explain King David?
David son of Jesse was king over all Israel. He ruled over Israel 40 years -- seven in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. He died at a good old age, having enjoyed long life, wealth and honor.... -- I Chronicles 29:27-28
There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with that 33. And that brings us to our point: some Christians seem to get caught up in "Bible numbers" so much that they risk forgetting the Bible's key message. It's a bit like poker players concentrating so much on the percentages of a hand succeeding that they don't take other factors into account.
Instead of worrying about numbers, why not do what an old hymn says? "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. -- instead of countless distractions. As Jesus put it:
For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. -- John 6:40
If you're still interesed in Numbers.... well, it's the fourth book of the Old Testament.
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