Anticipating the Feasts of the Lord
IT’S WORTH CONSIDERING
With Passover rapidly approaching, I though I’d share a letter from the sister-in-law (a Jewish believer in Yeshua) of one of my sources in Israel. It really helps put the upcoming feasts in a much needed perspective:

At my last workplace (before flying to Israel) there was a good-hearted brother in the Lord, whom after having learned about where I was going to be living, took pleasure in engaging me on certain biblical topics. There was one thing in particular that he couldn’t seem to get past. “I’ve never met another Christian who keeps the Jewish feasts,” he said. “As New Testament believers we’re no longer required to do that, so why would you feel like you needed to?” he continued.

Putting aside my calling to the Jewish people, I tried to explain the significance of the Feasts of the Lord to the believer in Yeshua. “First of all,” I said, “the Scriptures refer to the festivals as belonging to the Lord (Lev. 23:1). They are HIS appointed times.” It is logical to conclude that even though the feasts of the Lord have come to be associated with the Jewish people, had God chosen another race with which to make a covenant, the festivals would have still been HIS.

Secondly, I don’t look at observing the Feasts of the Lord as a requirement. Rather than saying I “keep the biblical holidays,” I much prefer to say that I “celebrate” them with joy. The feasts are rich in significance to the believer in Jesus in that they so clearly reveal the person of Messiah and His plan of redemption for mankind. I look forward to them with excitement as they occur throughout the year. It puts God’s redemptive picture at the forefront of our thoughts as we anticipate not just the next holiday, but with expectation await the fulfillment of future prophecy.

AS I SEE IT
I think she made some great points. What could be wrong with celebrating something God established as “His,” especially as each feast pictures Messiah’s role in bring redemption to a fallen world? The four spring feasts, Passover Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Pentecost, beautifully show how Jesus (Yeshua) fulfilled them at his first coming. The three fall feasts, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles, picture Messiah’s role when he returns at his second coming. With all the signs pointing to a possible imminent return of Christ, doesn’t it behoove us to at least take a closer look at these feasts? Who knows, our search my just take us a little closer to the heart of God, and that could only be a good thing.

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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
A Jewish friend of mine once described Jewish people as “just like everyone else, only more so.”