The story of joy must be an impetus to mutual coexistence. While Leviticus 23 focuses on specific holy days and festivals, Matthew 13:54-58 portrays Jesus' rejection in His hometown. Leviticus 23 details a series of festivals and holy days, including Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of First Fruits, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Booths. These observances were meant to be a time of remembrance, worship, and celebration of God's provision and deliverance. With specific rituals, offerings, and cessation from ordinary work, the focus is on God and His promise. Such celebrations denote joy and gratitude above grief and atonement in fostering a mutual story of existence.

Jesus, returning to His hometown, was met with amazement and wonder because of His wisdom and teaching. However, the folks rejected Him since they were made to look unwise and inhibited in their belief. They were too dumbfounded to rejoice with His arrival. To them, for mutual coexistence, Jesus could not be far superior than them in the knowledge of the Law and Prophets. Hence, they questioned the origin of His learning and authoritative words.

Festivals of faith transmit stories of joy as people celebrate life and accomplishments together. In other words, it opens ways for us to mutually acknowledge that, in God, we cannot be reacting to our prejudices.