--Jesus
The farm where I now am employed raises grass fed cows and organic crops. There is much "ritual" in securing the certification of Organic Farm, including filing vast amounts of paperwork and yearly inspections to prove the farm has followed the regulations defining "organic" to the letter.
Beyond making the decision to eat food that is chemical free (and more expensive), the average consumer knows little of the extra effort it takes to produce food labeled "organic".
But the average American is highly insulated from the many issues involved in raising food for human consumption. For example, there is not a day on the farm where weather is not a factor in effecting the timing of pasture management, planting, tilling or harvesting crops. This blissful ignorance has its casualties on a culture. One Arizona farmer commenting on the effects of a recent drought in the southwest United States wondered, with tear filled eyes, if Americans pray much anymore.
Droughts come in a variety of forms. Man-made economic droughts that produce starvation on a horrific scale, such as the people of Yemeni are experiencing now in their conflict with Saudi Arabia, or Venezuala's courtship with communism, are examples of droughts of principled compassion.
Another form of drought is, of course, lack of or too much rain. One thing I've learned on the farm is that soil condition has much to do with the land's capacity to use the moisture it receives. Fields must be managed to hold or drain the water they receive.
However, spiritual drought may in fact be the worst kind of all! That is, when people abandon our essential relationship with, and dependence on, God's providence.
Rain is a symbol of God's grace and without it every calamity which usually follows from want of rain, namely, scarcity of provisions, famine, and pestilence. Rain is also the symbol of God's favor "Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth." Hosea 6:3.
That the Lord will come; it has been the faith of all the saints, the Lord comes to fulfill every word that has spoken in its season.
To help humans overcome their tendency toward ungratefulness, indifference and arrogant self-reliance, God instituted a variety of Old Testament festivals for the Jewish people to celebrate. Bible teacher Ray Vander Laan describes these festivals and how, unbeknownst to the participants, they were actually preparing for God's coming in Jesus to earth!
Jewish Feasts
In the Old Testament, God instituted a religious calendar for the Israelites to follow. Within each year, there were seven specified feasts (Lev. 23), four in the spring and three each fall. Through these feasts, the Jewish people celebrated their history, their faith, and the blessings of God. Through Jesus' life, the hope of each feast was fulfilled in a dramatic way.
Passover
Why
To remember God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, when God passed over Israelite children and killed the firstborn of every Egyptian family.
When
In the spring, on the 14th day of the 1st month
What Happened
Most Jews traveled to Jerusalem for celebration of Passover. Each family brought a spotless lamb to the Temple for sacrifice. These lambs reminded the Israelites of the lamb that was eaten on the night they were delivered from Egypt. The lamb also reminded Israelites of the blood price that must be paid for their sin.
Connection to Jesus
Luke 2 records the story of Jesus and his family traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Jesus slaughtered the family's lamb, an action that meant he was recognized as a responsible member of the spiritual community. Later, Jesus died on the cross at the exact moment of the Passover sacrifice. Like the Passover lamb, none of his bones were broken, and his blood made the final atonement for the sins of the world.
Unleavened Bread
Why
To remember the escape from Egypt and God's provision of bread from the earth
When
In the spring, on the 15th day of the 1st month >
What Happened
The feast began by offering the first sheaf of grain to God through a special ceremony in the Temple sanctuary (Lev. 23:10-11). Another aspect of this feast involved the baking of unleavened bread, called matzo. God commanded that the Israelites eat only unleavened bread for seven days after Passover as a reminder of their sudden deliverance from Egypt, when their bread literally had no time to rise.
Connection to Jesus
Jesus burial coincided with the offering of the first grain. During his ministry Jesus described himself as "the bread of life. In God's faithfulness, he provided the true "Bread of Life" from the earth by raising Jesus' body from the grave.
First Fruits
Why
To celebrate God's gift of harvest
When
In the spring, 15th day of 1st month
What Happened
Israelites sacrificed the first part of their harvest, flocks, and earned money in recognition that God was the giver of every good thing. The people also acknowledged God's ownership of the land by bringing seven fruits to the Temple. One of these fruits included the pomegranate, a crop easily destroyed by foul weather. By giving these first fruits to God, the Israelites expressed their dependence on him and their trust that he would provide the rest of the harvest.
Connection to Jesus
The Feast of First Fruits coincided with Jesus' resurrection. When Jesus' followers returned to the tomb on the morning of the celebration, it was open and empty. Jesus became the first fruits of those raised from the dead
Shavuot - The Feast of Weeks
Why
Thanksgiving for the end of harvest and the anniversary of receiving the Law
When
50 days after Passover
What Happened
Joyful crowds gathered on the Southern Stairs, brought their offerings of wheat to the Temple, and celebrated the good harvest God had given. In Jewish tradition, true thankfulness to God was best shown by giving to others. So when the grain was harvested, the corners of the field were left standing to be gleaned by the poor. The people also celebrated the giving of the Law. This ritual paralleled Israel's history, which began with deliverance from Egypt on Passover and concluded when they received the Law.
Connection to Jesus
Shavuot coincides with Pentecost. Some scholars believe that the arrival of the Holy Spirit may have taken place on the Temple's Southern Stairs where the pilgrims gathered. Luke 24:53 states that the disciples remained in the Temple every day after Jesus' ascension to praise God. Peter was enabled to speak many languages, which would have made the gospel understandable to the people of varying backgrounds who traveled to Jerusalem for Shavuot
Rosh Hashana
Why
To prepare for God's judgment
When
In the fall, on the 1st day of the 7th month
What Happened
Rosh Hashana celebrated the beginning of a new religious year. The people celebrated by attending religious services and considering God's sovereignty and his future day of judgment. The shofar was blown-a sound that reminded Jewish people of their ancient past, God's great power, and their call for faithfulness in his coming judgment.
Connection to Jesus
Jesus, in keeping with this tradition, described a coming judgment that will be announced by the blowing of the shofar (Matt. 24:31).
Yom Kippur
Why
A day for the nation to seek forgiveness. God passed judgment of the people onto a scapegoat
When
In the fall, 10th day of the 7th month
What Happened
In preparation for Yom Kippur, the people fasted as a form of self-denial, repentance, and confession of sin before God. On the feast day, a priest entered the Most Holy Place and God appeared in a cloud over the ark of the covenant. Blood from sacrificed animals was sprinkled on the Most Holy Place and the altar to atone for the sins of priests. The high priest then placed his hands on the head of a scapegoat, symbolically transferring the sins of the people onto the goat. Subsequently, the scapegoat was taken out into the wilderness to die, symbolizing that God had forgiven the people's sins.
Connection to Jesus
The New Testament describes how the Day of Atonement applies to the death of Jesus: Jesus' blood, instead of the blood of the goat, now symbolizes atonement (Heb. 9:11-14). The death of Jesus fulfilled the ancient role of the scapegoat; through Jesus' death, sins are truly forgiven.
Sukkoth - Feast of Tabernacles
Why
To remember when the Jewish people lived in the wilderness before entering Canaan.
When
In the fall, on the 15th day of the 7th month.
What Happened
God commanded that booths be constructed to remind the Israelites of their history of wilderness living. The Israelites ate their meals and prayed in these booths for seven days as a reminder of God's protective care. Succoth took place at the end of the dry season and was coupled with a water ceremony and fervent prayer for next year's rains. Solomon dedicated the Temple during Sukkoth as a fitting picture of God coming to live among his people.
Connection to Jesus
In the context of Succoth, Jesus dramatically presented his message. On the "last and greatest day of the Feast," in the midst of the water ceremony and prayers for God to send water, Jesus proclaimed, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37-38). Some scholars also believe Jesus was born around Sukkoth, which would be a fitting picture of Jesus "tabernacling" among his people.
Jews For Jesus offers more detail on how Jesus used this particular festival to call all men to himself.
Jesus used water, another main element of Sukkot, to show that he was the fulfillment of the feast.
In Jesus’ day, special observances and traditions were developed to mark the seventh day of Sukkot, known as Hoshana Rabba, the Great Day.” The most notable of these was the Simchat Beit Hashoevah, or water-drawing ceremony, which went as follows:
Imagine a whole parade of worshipers and flutists led by the Temple priest to the pool of Siloam. The priest had two golden pitchers, one of which was for wine. He filled the other with water from the pool. As the musicians played, a choir of Levites chanted Psalm 118: “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them. I shall give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter through it. I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.” (v. 19-21) Psalm 118 is a prophetic psalm, which contains the words: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (v. 22,23)
After the Scriptures were chanted, the whole procession headed back to the Temple and a silver trumpet sounded three times. The priest approached the altar, where two beautiful golden basins were waiting. He poured wine into one basin as a drink offering to the Lord. And he poured water from the pool of Siloam into the other. The whole ceremony, with the parade and the flutes and the singing was so wonderful that one ancient rabbi wrote: “Anyone who has not seen this water ceremony has never seen rejoicing in his life.”
The ceremony was to thank God for his bounty, and to ask him to provide rain for the crops in the coming year. It is said that this ceremony developed from a reading of Isaiah 12:3-4, which says of a future time:
Therefore you will joyously draw water
From the springs of salvation.
And in that day you will say,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name.
Make known His deeds among the peoples;
Make them remember that His name is exalted.”
So on the last day, that great day of the feast, it is recorded that Jesus stood up and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:37-38).1 This was astonishing; nobody had ever dared speak like this. Jesus was saying that he was the wellspring of salvation of whom the prophet Isaiah wrote. He was the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed one. It is no wonder that Jesus chose the day of the water-pouring ceremony to invite everyone to come to him. If only the people would believe in him, he would quench their spiritual thirst.
And how did people respond? “Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, ‘This certainly is the Prophet.’ Others were saying, ‘This is the Messiah.’ Still others were saying, ‘Surely the Messiah is not going to come from Galilee, is he?'” (John 7:40, 41) The crowd was divided among those who believed Jesus’ claims and those who didn’t. And in the middle stood Jesus, who knew that ultimately he was the very corner stone that the builders were about to reject.
Just as we are dependent on God's favor and grace in sending rain for our survival let us look forward with eager anticipation to His coming again to establish His Kingdom and the Rule of Love.
Why
To remember God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, when God passed over Israelite children and killed the firstborn of every Egyptian family.
When
In the spring, on the 14th day of the 1st month
What Happened
Most Jews traveled to Jerusalem for celebration of Passover. Each family brought a spotless lamb to the Temple for sacrifice. These lambs reminded the Israelites of the lamb that was eaten on the night they were delivered from Egypt. The lamb also reminded Israelites of the blood price that must be paid for their sin.
Connection to Jesus
Luke 2 records the story of Jesus and his family traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Jesus slaughtered the family's lamb, an action that meant he was recognized as a responsible member of the spiritual community. Later, Jesus died on the cross at the exact moment of the Passover sacrifice. Like the Passover lamb, none of his bones were broken, and his blood made the final atonement for the sins of the world.
Unleavened Bread
Why
To remember the escape from Egypt and God's provision of bread from the earth
When
In the spring, on the 15th day of the 1st month >
What Happened
The feast began by offering the first sheaf of grain to God through a special ceremony in the Temple sanctuary (Lev. 23:10-11). Another aspect of this feast involved the baking of unleavened bread, called matzo. God commanded that the Israelites eat only unleavened bread for seven days after Passover as a reminder of their sudden deliverance from Egypt, when their bread literally had no time to rise.
Connection to Jesus
Jesus burial coincided with the offering of the first grain. During his ministry Jesus described himself as "the bread of life. In God's faithfulness, he provided the true "Bread of Life" from the earth by raising Jesus' body from the grave.
First Fruits
Why
To celebrate God's gift of harvest
When
In the spring, 15th day of 1st month
What Happened
Israelites sacrificed the first part of their harvest, flocks, and earned money in recognition that God was the giver of every good thing. The people also acknowledged God's ownership of the land by bringing seven fruits to the Temple. One of these fruits included the pomegranate, a crop easily destroyed by foul weather. By giving these first fruits to God, the Israelites expressed their dependence on him and their trust that he would provide the rest of the harvest.
Connection to Jesus
The Feast of First Fruits coincided with Jesus' resurrection. When Jesus' followers returned to the tomb on the morning of the celebration, it was open and empty. Jesus became the first fruits of those raised from the dead
Shavuot - The Feast of Weeks
Why
Thanksgiving for the end of harvest and the anniversary of receiving the Law
When
50 days after Passover
What Happened
Joyful crowds gathered on the Southern Stairs, brought their offerings of wheat to the Temple, and celebrated the good harvest God had given. In Jewish tradition, true thankfulness to God was best shown by giving to others. So when the grain was harvested, the corners of the field were left standing to be gleaned by the poor. The people also celebrated the giving of the Law. This ritual paralleled Israel's history, which began with deliverance from Egypt on Passover and concluded when they received the Law.
Connection to Jesus
Shavuot coincides with Pentecost. Some scholars believe that the arrival of the Holy Spirit may have taken place on the Temple's Southern Stairs where the pilgrims gathered. Luke 24:53 states that the disciples remained in the Temple every day after Jesus' ascension to praise God. Peter was enabled to speak many languages, which would have made the gospel understandable to the people of varying backgrounds who traveled to Jerusalem for Shavuot
Rosh Hashana
Why
To prepare for God's judgment
When
In the fall, on the 1st day of the 7th month
What Happened
Rosh Hashana celebrated the beginning of a new religious year. The people celebrated by attending religious services and considering God's sovereignty and his future day of judgment. The shofar was blown-a sound that reminded Jewish people of their ancient past, God's great power, and their call for faithfulness in his coming judgment.
Connection to Jesus
Jesus, in keeping with this tradition, described a coming judgment that will be announced by the blowing of the shofar (Matt. 24:31).
Yom Kippur
Why
A day for the nation to seek forgiveness. God passed judgment of the people onto a scapegoat
When
In the fall, 10th day of the 7th month
What Happened
In preparation for Yom Kippur, the people fasted as a form of self-denial, repentance, and confession of sin before God. On the feast day, a priest entered the Most Holy Place and God appeared in a cloud over the ark of the covenant. Blood from sacrificed animals was sprinkled on the Most Holy Place and the altar to atone for the sins of priests. The high priest then placed his hands on the head of a scapegoat, symbolically transferring the sins of the people onto the goat. Subsequently, the scapegoat was taken out into the wilderness to die, symbolizing that God had forgiven the people's sins.
Connection to Jesus
The New Testament describes how the Day of Atonement applies to the death of Jesus: Jesus' blood, instead of the blood of the goat, now symbolizes atonement (Heb. 9:11-14). The death of Jesus fulfilled the ancient role of the scapegoat; through Jesus' death, sins are truly forgiven.
Sukkoth - Feast of Tabernacles
Why
To remember when the Jewish people lived in the wilderness before entering Canaan.
When
In the fall, on the 15th day of the 7th month.
What Happened
God commanded that booths be constructed to remind the Israelites of their history of wilderness living. The Israelites ate their meals and prayed in these booths for seven days as a reminder of God's protective care. Succoth took place at the end of the dry season and was coupled with a water ceremony and fervent prayer for next year's rains. Solomon dedicated the Temple during Sukkoth as a fitting picture of God coming to live among his people.
Connection to Jesus
In the context of Succoth, Jesus dramatically presented his message. On the "last and greatest day of the Feast," in the midst of the water ceremony and prayers for God to send water, Jesus proclaimed, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37-38). Some scholars also believe Jesus was born around Sukkoth, which would be a fitting picture of Jesus "tabernacling" among his people.
Jesus used water, another main element of Sukkot, to show that he was the fulfillment of the feast.
In Jesus’ day, special observances and traditions were developed to mark the seventh day of Sukkot, known as Hoshana Rabba, the Great Day.” The most notable of these was the Simchat Beit Hashoevah, or water-drawing ceremony, which went as follows:
Imagine a whole parade of worshipers and flutists led by the Temple priest to the pool of Siloam. The priest had two golden pitchers, one of which was for wine. He filled the other with water from the pool. As the musicians played, a choir of Levites chanted Psalm 118: “Open to me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them. I shall give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter through it. I shall give thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have become my salvation.” (v. 19-21) Psalm 118 is a prophetic psalm, which contains the words: “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. This was the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” (v. 22,23)
After the Scriptures were chanted, the whole procession headed back to the Temple and a silver trumpet sounded three times. The priest approached the altar, where two beautiful golden basins were waiting. He poured wine into one basin as a drink offering to the Lord. And he poured water from the pool of Siloam into the other. The whole ceremony, with the parade and the flutes and the singing was so wonderful that one ancient rabbi wrote: “Anyone who has not seen this water ceremony has never seen rejoicing in his life.”
The ceremony was to thank God for his bounty, and to ask him to provide rain for the crops in the coming year. It is said that this ceremony developed from a reading of Isaiah 12:3-4, which says of a future time:
Therefore you will joyously draw water
From the springs of salvation.
And in that day you will say,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name.
Make known His deeds among the peoples;
Make them remember that His name is exalted.”
So on the last day, that great day of the feast, it is recorded that Jesus stood up and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water'” (John 7:37-38).1 This was astonishing; nobody had ever dared speak like this. Jesus was saying that he was the wellspring of salvation of whom the prophet Isaiah wrote. He was the Messiah, the Lord’s anointed one. It is no wonder that Jesus chose the day of the water-pouring ceremony to invite everyone to come to him. If only the people would believe in him, he would quench their spiritual thirst.
And how did people respond? “Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, ‘This certainly is the Prophet.’ Others were saying, ‘This is the Messiah.’ Still others were saying, ‘Surely the Messiah is not going to come from Galilee, is he?'” (John 7:40, 41) The crowd was divided among those who believed Jesus’ claims and those who didn’t. And in the middle stood Jesus, who knew that ultimately he was the very corner stone that the builders were about to reject.
Just as we are dependent on God's favor and grace in sending rain for our survival let us look forward with eager anticipation to His coming again to establish His Kingdom and the Rule of Love.
