Looking Forward to the Spring Feasts

We're gearing up around here for a family celebration of the Easter/Spring feasts. The boys and I assembled a Seder plate out of Legos about a week ago and in the next two days we'll work our way though baking and cooking up a few dishes to share at our special dinner Sunday evening.

I've spent the last month writing up an explanation of the Spring feasts. No small task considering the details and idioms that saturate every aspect of each feast. It's fascinating to read and contemplate and a nightmare to try and distil down into a succinct presentation. 

Have you thought about reading and celebrating the feasts? I was on the fence for a long time, too. I'll share the into of my presentation here.

“God revealed his plan for the ages by the details of the feasts, both biblical and traditional. These seven feasts of God are His program laid out for us to know what Christ, his Son, is doing in the world.” Michael Norton - Unlocking the Secrets of the Feasts

When most people think of Passover and the accompanying feasts, they think of the Jewish people. Indeed, the Lord gave the feast days and times to the ancient Israelites, shortly after they had been liberated from bondage in Egypt. Most Christians have little to no knowledge of the feasts and don’t believe the feasts pertain to them. While we don’t believe we are commanded to observe the feasts, we recognize that they are an important part of our heritage and highlight important truths.

Leviticus 23:1-2 “The Lord spoke again to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, “The Lord’s appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations - My appointed times are these. “” God emphasized that these appointed times are His appointed times. 

Over the years, the Jewish people have continued to add special prayers, foods, and practices in their celebration of the feasts. While these are fascinating, it’s important to point out that the Jewish people are still waiting for Messiah. As Christians, we believe Jesus was that Messiah and therefore our observance of these feasts will have a different focus.

We don't observe the feasts because we live under the law. It doesn't make us superior Christians. It simply gives us the opportunity to remember what God has done for us and what he's promised is to come.