Leviticus 23

The various feasts and festivals can also be seen as foreshadowing the ministry of Jesus Christ. Passover looks to the crucifixion and Jesus as our Passover lamb. The Festival of Unleavened Bread signifies Jesus’ sinless life and points to His burial. Firstfruits looks to the resurrection since Jesus is the “first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). And Pentecost foreshadows the giving of the Holy Spirit. These are the spring and early summer feasts. Some believe that the fall feasts (Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Booths) refer to yet future events, but they don’t have to. Hebrews 9:12 points to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Booths could easily speak to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The point being that, even in giving these festivals to Israel, God was showing us what He was going to do to secure our salvation!

Thought for the day: While some would like to continue to observe the feasts and festivals with a Christological emphasis, Paul reminds us that it isn’t necessary. They are the foreshadowing. We have the reality!

Romans 14:5-6 (WEB) “One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.”