THIRTY YEARS OF AGE
Some Biblical characters started their public service at age 30:
“Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh, king of Egypt” (Gen 41:46).
The priests served in the Temple from age 30 to 50 (Num 4:3).
Saul (1 Sam 13:1) and David (2 Sam 5:4) became kings at age 30.
Ezekiel began his prophecy at this age (Ezek 1:1).
After 30 years of his life in the desert, John appeared as a popular prophet.
Jesus started his public ministry at age 30 (Lk 3:23).
SACRIFICE
Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty silver coins leading to his sacrifice on the cross (Mt 26:15). That was the fulfillment of the prophecy about the Messiah (Zec 11:12-13).
Jesus sacrificed his life for humanity in 30 A.D. In the same year, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles and inaugurated the church.
MOURNING PERIOD
Moses: “The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days, till they had completed the period of grief and mourning for Moses” (Deut 34:8).
Aaron: “All the community understood that Aaron had breathed his last; and for thirty days the whole house of Israel mourned Aaron” (Num 20:29).
REFLECTION
According to the Biblical concept, age thirty is a period of maturity for governance and service for the Lord. We are called to serve the Lord in collaboration with the church Jesus established. Standing for the Lord can be sacrificial as it happened with many Christians.