Richard Maisenbacher
Let’s Celebrate the First Feasts of the Lord
We are approaching the first Feasts of the Lord, which include Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Firstfruits. Leviticus 24:4 instructs that, “These are appointed times of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them.” Passover commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a Seven-day observance and festival to remember God's deliverance. The Feast of Firstfruits takes place during the week-long Passover celebration, specifically on the first day after the Sabbath. Examining and implementing these feasts gives us a deeper understanding and appreciation of God and His ways.
Let’s take a moment to understand more fully these feasts so you can have a joyful Passover and Resurrection Sunday! Ephesians 2:13 declares, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” This means there is no condemnation for those who come to Jesus and receive Him as their Messiah, Lord, and Savior. We have entered a covenant relationship with Him and have passed from death to life.
In Romans it says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus.” The Father has offered the blood of His own Son as the Passover Lamb and entered our House, which is our life. And in that covenant of peace He brings us from sin to righteousness, bondage to liberty, defeat to victory, fear to faith, sickness to health, poverty to plenty and from death to life! Celebrating Passover reminds us of the bondage we were in and how we now walk in freedom because of the New Covenant.
We will also enter the Feast of Unleavened Bread during this week from April 13th to the 19th. Ezra 6:22 says, “And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy.” This is a time to remove any leaven (sin) in our life and in our hearts. You may be thinking that getting rid of the leaven is difficult and unenjoyable, but God looks for saints that will leap for joy during this process, as they look for ways to please Him in this love relationship. Therefore, part of this process of cleansing teaches us about the burial with Jesus and a life separate from the leaven of the world. Paul talks about “putting off the old man” or our “flesh” in Ephesians 4:22-24 and Colossians 3:9-10.
From sunset, April 19th to 6pm on April 20th we celebrate the Feast of Firstfruits! It is our resurrection with Christ and a reflection for our future bodily resurrection. In this process of consecration, we must put off the old and put on the new.
Paul says in Ephesians 4:24, “And... Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” The key is allowing the Holy Spirit to live a resurrected life through us! 2nd Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We also find in Galatians 2:20 the good news - “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
It is nice to say we have been crucified with Christ, or we go to the cross daily; however, we must also put on Christ by the Spirit to experience resurrection power! It takes both. I have tried to do everything in my power in the flesh and I have also done nothing, expecting God to do everything for me. Neither works. It must be synergy – us with the Father.
Galatians 5:16 reminds us to “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh!” The fruit found in Galatians 5:22-23, will be the dominant force, giving expression to love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we align ourselves with His Spirit, “We not only have peace with God, but we have the peace of God,” Colossians 3:15. Peace with God helps us walk this walk, by more clearly hearing His voice.
The Feast of First fruits is celebrated the day after the Sabboth, (Saturday). Before the Sheaves of Barley of the new crop could be touched or eaten there had to be an offering unto the Lord. This act reminded the farmers that the whole harvest belonged to Him, and they just managed it. They were stewards. Offering first fruits consecrated the whole harvest to God. If God accepted it, the whole harvest was accepted. Jesus fulfilled the feast when He was resurrected as First Fruits from the dead. He was set apart unto God. Do you realize you are God’s firstfruits and set apart too? James 1:18 reminds us, “We who walk with Christ are His first fruits.”
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man (Christ) also came the resurrection of the dead. For in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-23.
Jesus was first to rise again never to die again. He was the human sheaf set apart to conquer death and provide eternal life to those who believe in Him. Jesus said to Mary in John 20:17, “Do not cling to me (touch me) for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren; and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to me My God and your God.” It was during this Feast that He was resurrected. It was in the evening, not sunrise, when the first fruits were waved. That’s why he couldn’t be touched, as the great high priest.
Ephesians 1:6 - “He (God) made us acceptable in Christ, the Beloved.”
Romans 11:16 - “If the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy and if the root is holy, so are the branches.”
LET’S REVIEW: In the early Church, Passover was one of the most important times of the year. During Passover, the slaves were freed to obtain their full potential spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. Passover is the redemptive feast linked with crossing over and entering resurrection power through the blood of the Lamb. God gave us this Feast to celebrate, being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb out of the hands of the enemy. We move from Passover to Resurrection and enter a joyful time to remember that Jesus died to set us free. This allows us to enter the fullness of every promise that has been extended to mankind. In a world of chaos, we can see the Lord’s power and demonstration of His Covenant of Peace: safety, security, strength, prosperity, and health and increase.
Let’s Celebrate!
Richard Maisenbacher
The Covenant Center
info@thecovenantcenter.com