HOW WE OBSERVE GOD’S FESTIVALS
Eighth of eight devotions in What God’s Festivals Teach series
1 John 5:2-3a: “This is how we know that we love the children of God, by loving God and keep His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands.”
These festivals are observed differently. The Passover involves eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood in remembrance of Him. In the Days of Unleavened Bread, eat no bread that has yeast—clean all yeast from the homes. The Day of Atonement is the only feast that’s observed with no consumption of food.
They teach spiritual growth. They are commanded for celebratory fun.
All these commanded festivals are holy to God. They are feasts of the LORD proclaimed by holy convocations, or sacred assemblies from Leviticus 23:2. Only God can set time aside as holy. He lifted these festivals above ALL humanly-devised holidays.
Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He led New Testament Believers in observing these feasts, observing Passover in Matthew 26:2, 17, 18, and19; Mark 14:12-16; Luke 2:41-42, 22:1; John 2:13, 23, 6:4, and 13:1-30. Paul led Christians in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29.
Jesus celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 2:41-42, 22:1 & 7. Paul kept this feast in Acts 20:6 and 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. Pentecost was observed in Acts 22:1-21, 20:16, and 1 Corinthians 16:18. The Feast of Trumpets was celebrated in Matthew 24:30-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, and Revelation 11:15.
Paul noted the Day of Atonement in Acts 27:9. Jesus kept the Feast of Tabernacles in John 7:1-2, 8, 10, and 14. Jesus observed the 8th Day, or The Last Great Day in John chapters 7 and 9.
See the lesson linked below for more.
Doing no regular work is the constant theme of these festivals. Exodus 12:16b exempts food preparation as work: “Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat—that is all you may do.”
The Day of Atonement is different. This holy day is without food.
Take Home Nugget
Responding to God’s commands is a matter of faith. It is important to begin honoring these holy days when we learn about them. Despite our not knowing everything at first, more will be revealed as we obey God. Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.”
Annual feasts are happy times to be shared with family and fellow saints. They reveal wondrous meaning and offer an awesome promise of hope for all people! Observing them reminds us of God’s overwhelming love for everyone.
Holy LORD, Thank You for the wonderful gifts of Your commanded feasts! Amen.
Adapted from God’s Holy Day Plan, The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. ©1966, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2013 by the United Church of Christ. Ohio. Pgs. 59-62.
J.D. Griffith
The latest Christmas eBook by J.D. Griffith:
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