"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." John 1:29
Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) is the perfect Lamb of God celebrated in the first Passover. Just as the blood of a spotless lamb spared the Israelites from death and gave them freedom from slavery, so Yeshua’s (Jesus’) sacrifice delivers us from God’s punishment and liberates us from sin.
Another fascinating parallel between Yeshua (Jesus) and Passover: God told the Israelites that on the 10th day of the month, they were to select and bring into their homes an unblemished lamb. Then on the 14th day of the month, they were to sacrifice the animal at Passover (Exodus 12:1–3, 5–7).
Jesus fulfilled this pattern: Yeshua’s entry into Jerusalem (what the Church celebrates as Palm Sunday) was the same day the Passover lambs were being selected. It is no coincidence that, like the Passover lambs, Yeshua was examined and questioned for four days, and at every examination He was found to be innocent— without blemish.
*Levitt Letter, April 2015, Messianic Jewish Alliance of America
The more I read and understand the Biblical Feasts, the more God opens my heart and eyes to the fact that Jesus fulfilled every aspect of the Spring Feast with His first coming. From the largest to the smallest detail, EVERYTHING points to Jesus - The Messiah, our Savior, and Redeemer. The last sacrifice needed - The Lamb who takes away the sins of the world.
For me to grasp deep concepts, I need them in simple terms. So, from my perspective, I'd like to give an overview of the significance of the Spring Feast at Jesus' (Yeshua's) first coming. Basically, showing how Jesus fulfilled the prophesies and purposes within the Spring Feasts.
First of all it is important to note that God outlines 7 Feasts or Holy Days commanded in the Bible...
4 Spring Feasts - Already FULFILLED by Jesus in His first coming
3 Fall Feasts - Will be fulfilled in Jesus' second coming
God's people all over the world celebrate the Feasts. This is especially important to the Jewish people. In observance of the Spring Feasts, we remember how God delivered the Hebrews from bondage in Egypt on Passover. On the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we remember their hasty exodus before their bread could rise. Then when they entered the Promised Land, they presented to God a sheaf of their Spring crop on the Feast of Firstfruits. Then on Feast of Weeks/Pentecost they brought in the rest of that first harvest.
Let’s recount what happened on the Spring Feast dates during Jesus' lifetime. Remember, on the Hebrew/Biblical calendar a day begins and ends at dusk. Observe this chart...
SPRING FESTIVALS FULFILLED in Jesus' First Coming...
FIRST FEAST - PASSOVER – This is the first Feast on God’s calendar.
FULFILLED - This feast was completed on Passover the day Jesus was crucified (Matt. 26:19-31). Jesus was our Passover lamb, whose blood was shed to deliver us from bondage.
FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD – This begins the night of Passover and extends seven days with the commandment to abstain from eating anything with leaven in it and, instead, eat unleavened bread every day as a symbolic way of consuming Jesus' righteousness within us in reverence for His innocent death. Leaven or yeast represents sin.
FULFILLED - Through His trials leading up to the crucifixion, He remained sinless. No sin was found in Him - unleavened, He was our bread from heaven.
FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS – This takes place three days after Passover.
FULFILLED - Three days after His death on the cross, Jesus rose from the dead, like that first crop out of the dead earth in the springtime. He represented the new birth of salvation to all in the new season of life. (Matt. 27:62 – 28:6).
DAY OF PENTECOST/FEAST OF WEEKS – This takes place 50 days after Passover when the rest of the harvest is brought in.
FULFILLED - In Acts 2, on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus' death The pouring out of God’s very spirit (The Holy Spirit) into the disciples and all those they spoke to, marking the beginning of “The Last Days” foretold by the prophet Joel.
FALL FESTIVALS will be FULFILLED in Jesus' Second Coming:
After the Spring Feasts, there are 108 days without a holiday. Then there are three Fall Feasts within 23 days.
FEAST OF TRUMPETS –The trumpet blasts on the first day of the seventh month were meant to signal to Israel that they were entering a sacred season. The agricultural year was coming to a close and announcing the mark of a new season. Matt. 24:29-31).
DAY OF ATONEMENT – This Day falls ten days after the Feast of Trumpets. Jesus will judge all mankind and assign to eternal life those who have taken His blood as their atonement, and to eternal punishment those who have not (Matt. 25:31-46).
FEAST OF TABERNACLES– This day falls five days after the Day of Atonement and lasts seven days. What will happen after Jesus judges the nations during His second coming? The Wedding Feast of the Lamb where Jesus dwells/tabernacles with His people (Rev. 19:6-9). Accordingly this Feast is celebrated during the Millennium by all nations, not just Jews(Zech. 14:16-19). After seven days of this Feast, the eighth day is also designated as a holy Sabbath. In scripture, what comes after the Wedding Feast of the Lamb? The New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21:1-5). The use of the number eight in the Bible typically symbolizes new life. The eighth day Sabbath represents the advent of the New Heaven and New Earth.
So, get out your calendars and follow along with the Hebrew/Biblical calendar for 2015. Pray over these Feast... Praise God for fulfilling the first four Spring Feast through Jesus' first coming and praise Him for what is yet to come as Jesus fulfills the last 3 feasts, Fall Feasts, through His second coming!
Passover: April 3-4, 2015
Feast of Unleavened Breads: April 4-11
Feast of First Fruits: April 4-5
Feast of Weeks (Pentecost): May 23-24
Feast of Trumpets: September 14-15
Day of Atonement: September 23-24
Feast of Tabernacles/Shelters/Harvest: Sept. 29 – Oct. 5
From My Heart to Yours,
Carla McDougal