Let me begin by asserting my feelings about our president’s remarks following the mass murder in Uvalde, Texas. I was appalled as I listened to President Biden as he spoke on the evening of still another senseless mass murder against those unsuspecting children and adults. His message was a blatant politicization of a horrific display of evil. After a few brief remarks about the victims, he then went on what I would describe as a tirade about gun control. There is a time and place for discussions about such things as that but consoling the families of those children and adults whose lives were senselessly cut short was not that time.

Every time there is another mass murder, we hear them once again as the talking heads begin to make their political pitches for stricter laws pertaining to firearms. The outcry of those who are for gun reform focuses on the theory that guns kill people. And, we have all heard the response to that outcry: guns don’t kill people; people kill people. This is an irrefutable truth.

I have many friends and acquaintances who own firearms. I don’t know very many individuals who don’t own some type of firearm. And not one of them has ever used their firearms to take another person’s life. Not one.

The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of persons who own firearms are law-abiding citizens. The fact that they own a firearm does not mean that they are secretly harboring thoughts of murder and mayhem and are only waiting for the perfect time to carry out their evil deed. Some own firearms for the purpose of hunting, while others use theirs in competitive shooting. Many have purchased firearms for self-protection. These, and so many others, are reasons for owning firearms.

I am a firm believer in and a strong advocate of the second amendment. Granted, there are many different possible interpretations of the initial intent of the amendment, and perhaps that should be part of the forthcoming discussions about how to protect unqualified gun-owners from purchasing firearms. There is no question about the fact that changes to current gun ownership laws should be made.

However, having said that, it bears stating once again that guns don’t kill people. People kill people. Stricter background checks are needed; longer wait times to purchase a firearm are needed; mandatory safe firearm classes should be required. These and many other safeguards could be built into the system.

But the fact of the matter is that if someone wants to get a firearm for the purpose of killing an individual, or committing mass murder, they are going to get it. They are not going through the proper channels to purchase a firearm to begin with. They are going to purchase firearms illegally.

Taking the guns of law-abiding citizens is not the answer. I hope that we see open and serious discussion on what can be done to keep firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to do harm, while at the same time protecting the rights of honest, law-abiding citizens to own firearms.

I have been trying to mentally process the news of the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the report of the independent investigation into alleged sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention. Some may think that these two news stories have nothing to do with each other, but in reality, they are exactly the same. They are both glaring examples of SIN.

First, let’s focus on the mass shooting which resulted in the deaths of nineteen people, most of whom were third, fourth, and fifth grade students. What would compel an eighteen-year-old to walk into an elementary school and open fire on those unsuspecting students and teachers? SIN! I don’t know what it was that triggered the awful, senseless slaughter, but the underlying, foundational cause is that the shooter was devoid of the forgiving grace of God.

But please read the following statement carefully. Anyone who lives by the dictates of his fallen, sinful nature is capable of the most heinous acts of evil. None of us are above committing such horrible actions. It is the grace of God that keeps us from engaging in horrific acts of evil.

Now I realize that some reading this will object strenuously to that assessment. You may be thinking about some family members or friends who are not Christians and yet have never committed anything comparable to this senseless slaughter. But yet it is true. It is the common grace of God at work in the world that compels the vast majority of human beings to live upright, law-abiding lives. But still, those who are devoid of the Spirit of God open themselves up for the spirit of evil to compel them to commit such acts.

The proof of this truth is seen in the other news report. An independent investigation was conducted by Guidepost Solutions into alleged sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention. The following is copied from the website of Gibbs Law Group:

On May 15, 2022, Guidepost Solutions published a disturbing report describing decades of sexual abuse and cover-ups within the Southern Baptist denomination. On May 26, 2022, the Southern Baptist Church (SBC) released a 205–page list of hundreds of alleged abusers, which was compiled by a former employee of the SBC Executive Committee. The list—which spans decades and numerous states—contains details of alleged incidences of assault and abuse, and the names of ministers and other church workers who have been “credibly accused” of perpetrating abuse, as reported by the New York Times. 

Gibbs Law Group web page

We may think of the shooter who took the lives of 19 individuals as being far more horrific than the acts committed by those on the list published by the Southern Baptist Convention, but in reality they are exactly the same: SIN. It is not the point of this blog to delve into the allegations presented in this report. It is, however, the point of making comparison of the root problem of sin. The names listed in the report are pastors and other church staff leaders, some of whom were prominent leaders in the convention, who are alleged to have committed acts of sexual abuse that have caused mental, emotional, physical and spiritual trauma in the lives of the victims.

The common denominator between the Texas shooter and the individuals named in the investigative report: SIN! As I thought about these horrifying stories my mind went back to a day in the classroom at Fruitland Bible College. Dr. Kenneth Ridings, professor of homiletics at the time, walked into the classroom, looked around the room at his students, and stated matter-of-factly, “We are all capable of committing the most awful acts of evil. None of us are above falling to temptation.” He was talking to a classroom full of students preparing for ministry. Each of us had felt the call of God to invest our lives in serving God by serving others. And yet, here was a professor who had, at the time, been in ministry for decades telling us that we were all susceptible to fall into sin.

Some may think it wrong of me to compare a murderer who killed 19 people with pastors and other church staff members. However, the Bible makes it clear beyond any doubt that in the eyes of God sin is sin. I am not diminishing the awful ramifications of 19 families who are now struggling to make sense of the senseless by making this comparison. I am simply making the observation that the lives of those who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of pastors and staff members are carrying around the mental and emotional scars of being victimized.

The underlying principle is sin. And let’s be very clear on the matter. The Bible warns about the seriousness of sin, so acts such as these should not take us by surprise. Some will use these types of horrific displays of human depravity as a reason to reject God. In reality, they should cause us to run to God. He is our only source of help and hope in the face of such evil.

This topic will be continued in my next blog.

In my last blog attention was focused on two hot-bed topics in our present cultural climate: human anatomy and human sexuality. I would like to continue this line of thinking by focusing on another of those topics: abortion. It has once again been thrust into the spotlight due to recent discussions focused on overturning the decision made in Roe v. Wade.

Two opposing views continue to be the center of attention in this ongoing debate: pro-choice and pro-life. These two views can be summarized as follows. Those who claim to be pro-choice argue that a woman has the right to choose to do as she wishes with her body. Those who claim to be pro-life argue that at the moment of conception there is a viable human being in the womb, and that human life is sacred and should be given every protection humans are guaranteed. I realize that those summary statements are extremely simplistic, with many different aspects to the topic, but for the focus of this blog we will work with those definitions.

Attention will be focused first on the pro-choice stance. Again, as stated above, this is the commonly held belief that a woman can choose on her own without any external coercion, constraint, or compulsion, whether she wants to give birth to the child who has been conceived in her womb. The phrase, “My body, my choice,” is often used by those who assert their right to do as they wish with their body.

This may sound like a reasonable thing to say, believe, and practice. But before we reach that conclusion, let’s look a little closer at this assertion. The words, “my body”, are referring to the physical, biological body a person is born with. And yes, it is the right of every individual to do as they please with and to their body. If one chooses to drink alcohol, they have the right to do so. If they choose to use illegal drugs, then again, they have every right. If they choose to engage in unprotected sex, then they are at liberty to do so. If they should even choose to end their life they are at liberty to commit such an act. Each of these acts, along with countless others that could be mentioned, are acts committed with and to our physical bodies.

This is not the case with abortion. The baby growing in the womb is not part of the woman’s body, but rather it is a human being with its own human body. From the moment of conception the child’s DNA has already determined hair color, eye color, general body build. This is a real human being. So, to say “My body, my choice,” cannot be applied to the body of a distinctly different body drawing nourishment from the mother. The problem is that the body inside the body cannot choose for himself/herself whether he/she should live or die. Someone else must make that decision.

It is my opinion that this should never be an option. I know that some reading this may think that I am living in a fictional world with unrealistic expectations, and perhaps I am. However, in my fictionalized world, the choice has already been made before the doctor announces to the woman that she is pregnant. The choice was made when the woman decides to engage in sexual relations. That is the real choice in the matter. Once one has made that choice, then they should be willing to give birth to the child who has been conceived in her womb.

What about those who claim to be pro-life? What is their reasoning for holding to such a mentality? Basically, the reasoning is based on the belief that man is created in the image of God. This is based on the Bible’s teaching that God is the creator of life, the giver of life, the sustainer of life, and the One to whom every life is accountable. Therefore, life should be viewed as sacred, bearing the marks of the Creator Himself.

There are many passages of Scripture, as well as many Biblical characters, whose lives show clearly the involvement of God in the process of conception, pre-natal development, birth, and growth through the different stages of life. David attests to the fact that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made.” Jeremiah states that he was called to be a prophet while still in his mother’s womb. Paul asserts that he was called to be the missionary to the Gentiles before his birth. John the Baptist leaped with joy in his mother’s womb when Mary, who was pregnant with Jesus, came to visit Elizabeth.

Each of these Biblical examples show clearly that life is obviously very precious to God. When one decides to engage in sexual relations which then result in pregnancy, then that child bears the marks of the image of God. Precious indeed!

It is the opinion of this writer that when persons make the decision to engage in sexual relations, they should weigh out the potential consequences of that action. The choice to have sex, with full knowledge of the possibility of a resulting pregnancy, is the choice that should be given serious consideration. Once that decision has been made, then one should be ready to accept a resulting pregnancy.

The Bible gives clear guidelines for sexual relations. Those guidelines are not difficult to understand. Premarital sex is forbidden, as are extra-marital affairs. Sex is a beautiful gift of God, but should only be engaged in within the parameters of God’s word. When the choice is made to go outside those parameters and make choices contrary to the clear teachings of Scripture, then one should be ready to bear the consequences of those actions.

I am both amused and amazed at the present state of seeming confusion concerning the matter of choice. As I have given it serious consideration, I feel compelled to share my personal thoughts on the matter, knowing from the outset that there will be those who will totally agree while others will totally disagree with my views on this subject. And let me say from the very beginning that I have absolutely no problem with that. You have every right to your opinions on this matter as do I. My hope is that those who read these words will accept them with the grace in which I offer them. It is possible to agree to disagree, agreeably. Please keep that thought in mind as you read.

I am going to focus my thoughts this week on two hot-bed topics: human anatomy and human sexuality. I have written on these subjects in previous blogs, but due to the extreme amount of interest in these topics I feel that it would prove helpful to revisit them once again.

First, let’s focus our attention on human anatomy. Anatomy is the study of body structure, while physiology is the study of the individual organs and systems that make up the body. For the purpose of this blog we will give consideration to the overall body structure without looking at the organs and systems that make up the body.

In several states it is now possible for parents to request a non-binary birth certificate for their new-born child. The term non-binary includes any person who does not identify with a gender that falls within the traditional male/female or man/woman category. The parents are undoubtedly thinking ahead to a future time when their child can determine what sex they choose to be. Their biological/physical structure does not dictate that they will necessarily grow up to choose the sex assigned to them at birth by their Creator. Rather, the created (child) can choose to disregard their biological structure that the Creator (God) gave them.

This is then exacerbated by the idea of some that they are able to choose to change their biological identity whenever the desire should strike. Therefore, if an individual should wake up one morning and “feel” feminine, even though they were born biologically masculine, then the choice can be made to identify as female. Pay no attention to their biological structure – they are what they “feel” themselves to be.

The Bible teaches that God created humankind, and assigned two, and only two, sexes: male and female. Each individual is assigned one or the other at the moment of conception, and that will be their biological identification for life. Some may choose to go through the process of a sex-change operation, but the fact remains that they were born one or the other, male or female. Biological selection is made by God, and should not be thought of as in any way transferrable or transient.

If one chooses to identify as female even though he was born male, then that is a personal choice, not a biological reality. I will respect anyone’s right to make such choices, and I would hope that those who do will give me the same respect for disagreeing with your choices based on your personal preferences.

Second, let’s think about human sexuality. This subject is related to that just discussed but has far-reaching ramifications that go beyond the idea of biological structure. There are those who acknowledge their biological structure as either male or female, but who do not feel attracted to someone of the opposite sex. This leads to gay and lesbian relationships in which men are attracted to men and women to women.

The Bible speaks to this matter in very specific language. Read these words slowly and carefully:

“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.”

Romans 1:26-27

There are a few points of importance that need to be made from this text. First, Paul states that the individuals to whom he is referring made a personal choice based on their personal preference. Note the words “exchanged” and “leaving”. Women exchanged their natural-born biological sex assigned to them at birth for that which is against nature. Men left the natural relations that God had ordered from the beginning of humanity for an unnatural relation based on personal preference. The wording of this passage would lead us to believe that these were choices, not based on their biological structure, but on their preferential choice.

Another extremely important phrase in this text is this: “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.” We cannot possibly overemphasize the importance of this statement. To understand the gravity of this assertion we need to do a little research to determine the reason mentioned here. To do that we need to go back a few verses in Romans 1:

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

Romans 1:24-25 (emphasis added)

I have highlighted a key phrase that helps us understand the seriousness of this passage. Those who embrace ideas about human biological structure and human sexuality roles have exchanged the truth of God. The truth of God is simple: God created male and female. He intended for a man and a woman to be united in a permanent marital relationship that would end only in death. That was, and is, the truth of God’s word.

But please note carefully that God will honor a person’s choice to exchange His truth for the lies of the world. He will simply give them over to their own personal preferences. The choice is left up to the individual.

I have had many conversations with men who have embraced the gay lifestyle. As far as I know none of them have identified me as a homophobe or a hate monger. As a matter of fact, I have several very close friends who are living this lifestyle. I have shared with them, as best I can, what the Bible teaches on the subject. They have listened, and they have respectfully rejected the truths from God’s word. I trust that our friendships will continue, and that I might continue to share with them the truths of Scripture.

It is not my assigned task to convert or change anyone, but to love everyone God brings into my circle of influence, sharing with them the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for me that this little light of mine will continue to shine, dispelling darkness with the Light of His love and grace.

In Acts 17 there is a very interesting story about the apostle Paul’s ministry in the city of Thessalonica. The text informs the reader that there was a synagogue of the Jews in that city, and Paul did there what he did everywhere he went.

Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”

Acts 17:2-3

Paul’s ministry included the teaching of the word of God to any and all who would take time to listen. During this visit to Thessalonica he spent three Sabbaths teaching those who gathered in the synagogue. The passage goes on to say that some of the people were persuaded, resulting in a great multitude joining Paul and Silas. These must have been exciting days for Paul and Silas.

However, all was not well in the city. There were also those who opposed the message and the messengers who delivered it. The following verses paint a rather bleak picture of the events which were instigated by those who did not receive the message.

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”

Acts 17:5-6

Hostilities began to arise. A mob mentality developed as some who did not receive the message Paul preached began inciting the crowd, stirring their emotions to the point that they physically attacked the believers. And what exactly was it that caused this uproar? “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” What an indictment! Paul and Silas, along with other believers in the city, were being accused of propagating a message that was literally turning everything on its head.

This should not be very difficult to understand. The Gospel of Jesus Christ will always have this effect on an unbelieving world. Why? Because it presents truth that exposes error. It presents the message of salvation through Jesus Christ and no other. It presents the amazing truth that God will forgive those who come to Him in faith, adopting them into His family. It presents the message of God’s grace as opposed to man’s works. It is, indeed, a message that turned the world upside down!

One of the major reasons for the Gospel having this effect was because it revealed the fallacy of false religion. Religion is man-centered, whereas the Gospel is God-centered. More specifically it is Christ-centered. It runs counter to culture as it exposes the sinfulness of man. It focuses on Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation. This belief comes from the assertion made by Jesus Himself.

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.

John 14:6

The believers in the New Testament era understood this to be a literal truth. Jesus was not speaking metaphorically, but rather speaking absolute truth. Note carefully how He uses the definite article before each of the three identifiers: the way, the truth, the life. He is not “a” way among many ways, or “a” truth among many truths, or “a” life among many lives. He is “the”.

And this turned the world upside down! My question is this: are we still turning the world upside down? Are we encountering culture by proclamation, or are we accommodating culture by assimilation? The early believers were visible and vocal in their proclamation of the exclusivity of the Gospel. They were unwilling to assimilate the message of the Gospel by making it palatable to their generation. Rather, they presented a message that demanded a complete break from the religious beliefs, traditions, and superstitions of their day.

Perhaps it is time that the contemporary church judged itself in light of Scripture. For anyone who might oppose the thought of judging ourselves, let’s listen carefully to the words of Peter:

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17 (emphasis added)

If each individual congregation of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ would take this admonition seriously it would most likely result in recognizing that many have assimilated into culture instead of encountering culture. Social concerns such as abortion, human sexuality, the definition of marriage, alternate lifestyles, political polarization, women’s role in church, alcohol use, and so many others face the church. How do we represent Christ in the midst of such dividing issues as these? How do we stand for Biblical truth when the world is so powerful in exerting its cultural influence?

We do as the early church did: we present Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life. We uncompromisingly tell the world – or at least our small part of the world – that there is no other name under heaven whereby we might be saved. It is not Jesus or Allah; or Jesus or Buddha; or Jesus or anyone or anything. It is Jesus, period. He is the only means of salvation, and His word is to be obeyed.

Jesus spoke the truth everywhere He went. It caused controversy and division, but He stayed the course. After His death, burial and resurrection, His followers carried on His work by speaking the truth everywhere they went. That baton of truth has now been passed down generation to generation, and now has been passed to us. We are to speak it everywhere we go and then faithfully pass it down to those who will come behind us. Yes, it will cause controversy and division, and yes, it could very well be costly. But we will receive our reward for our faithfulness to proclaim truth.

In conclusion, I would simply encourage each of us to examine our personal walk with the Lord, and ask ourselves a simple question: Am I turning my world upside down for the cause of Christ, or am I assimilating my Christian faith with the world? It is time for judgment to begin with us.

“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Philippians 3:10

As I sit here on the day after Easter, I am thinking about the disciples and what they may have been doing during those days between the resurrection and the ascension. We know very little about these intervening days. There are a few observations that can be gleaned from the pages of Scripture, but the Gospel accounts leave much to be desired in our understanding of the disciple’s actions and activities during those forty days.

We do know that Jesus made several different post-resurrection appearances during that span of time. Perhaps He made more than the Gospels record, but we know He appeared at different times and in different places. But other than the record of these appearances to the disciples, we know almost nothing about what they were doing in this period.

But what observations can we make? What principles can we glean from the limited amount of information we have? I would suggest the following.

First, we know that they were all devastated because of the death of Jesus. None of them had any hope in the resurrection. All they knew was that Jesus had been betrayed, crucified, and buried. None of them expected the miracle of the resurrection. The ones who did go to the tomb early on that Sunday morning went to anoint a corpse, not to meet a risen Lord.

And even after they have received eye-witness accounts of Jesus being alive, the Bible records that still some doubted. The reality of His death left them in a state of total loss, confusion and perplexity.

Second, we know that they were gathered together immediately after His death. Perhaps out of fear, or desperation, or to draw strength from numbers, or any one of many other possibilities, but they were together. Perhaps they were trying to come up with a plan that would enable them to carry on now that Jesus was dead and they no longer had a leader. And even if one arose as leader, what would he lead? A band of followers of a dead Messiah?

Third, we know that they experienced the risen Lord as He began making appearances to certain individuals and groups. Slowly but surely, as they witness Jesus through these appearances, their fears begin to turn to faith. They believe, even though some had to actually see before they would believe the fantastic reports. But yet, they did believe.

Fourth, even though it is not explicitly revealed in the pages of Scripture, we can surmise that their excitement continued to grow day after day as Jesus made His appearances. Can you imagine the anticipation that they must have experienced day after day, wondering if He would show Himself again? If the number of recorded appearances is actually the total number, then there could have been several days that would transpire between some of them. They must have been anxiously awaiting the next one. And no one knew where He might appear next.

Fifth, we know that when Jesus gave the instruction to go back to Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, they were obedient to His command even though they must have felt that this would be placing themselves in a very dangerous spot. After all, they must have still been thinking that the authorities were still looking for them since they were disciples of Jesus.

And sixth, after the ascension they wait in that upper room in Jerusalem, believing by faith that they would be empowered just as Jesus had said. And indeed they were! Once the Holy Spirit appeared on the Day of Pentecost, they stormed the streets of Jerusalem, boldly proclaiming the message of the resurrection, and that through that momentous event salvation was now offered to man.

The verse quoted at the beginning of this blog is from the Apostle Paul, years after he had been converted on the Damascus Road. He knows that the only means of his successfully living the Christian life is to experience afresh and anew each day the power of the resurrection. And that is our only hope. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave is our guarantee that we, too, will experience the reality of resurrection by the power of His resurrection.

So, this day and every day, let us pray to experience the continual, consistent power of the resurrected Lord so that we might boldly proclaim to our generation as they did to theirs: Jesus Christ is Lord, and through the power of His resurrection you can share in the life He offers.

Let’s not lay aside the message of Easter until next year, but let’s live in its reality, and in the power of our resurrected Lord, every day. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Darkness dispelled by light. Despair replaced with peace. Loss removed by gain. Meaninglessness overcome with purpose. Grief displaced by joy. Guilt overshadowed by forgiveness. Memories of horror become visions of majesty. A sense of abandonment banished by His presence. Defeat gives place to victory. Confusion becomes clarity. Misunderstanding is swallowed up in wonder. Displaced faith becomes deep faith. ALL IS SAVED!

Can you imagine how the disciples felt? How they tried to grasp the revelation of His resurrection. How they now remembered, understood, His trying to prepare them for this wonderful morning. How He had revealed to them the plan of the Father – that He would be betrayed, tried, convicted, and sentenced to die? How He had told them clearly, plainly, that His body would be placed in a tomb – lifeless, cold, dead. How He would remain in that tomb three days and nights. How He would come forth from the tomb holding the keys of death, hell and the grave. How He had power to lay down His life, and to take it up again.

The wonder, the miracle, the majesty of the resurrection! Jesus has conquered death. He has paid the penalty of sin. He has suffered the anguish of hell. And He did it all – are you ready for this? – He did it all, for YOU. Let the truth of the message of Easter become the reality of your life. Let the grace of God engulf you as you, by faith, embrace the true meaning of Easter. Come to the resurrected Savior – you will not be disappointed!

Darkness. Despair. Hopelessness. Loss. Meaninglessness. Grief. Sadness. A sense of horror. A feeling of anguish. A rush of guilt. A flood of memories. An avalanche of abandonment. The crush of defeat. The reality of death. The confusion. The perplexity. The misunderstanding. The displaced faith. ALL IS LOST!

Can you imagine how the disciples felt? How they tried to reason through the events of the last hours. How they had been so deceived to follow Jesus, with all His outlandish claims, and His lofty teachings? How they had forsaken all to follow Him? And now THIS! THIS?

The crush of Saturday is settling in. The reality of His death is taking hold. The loss of everything has taken all hope, and left them reeling in the aftermath.

BUT – SUNDAY’S COMING!

God instructed Moses to lead the people of Israel to observe seven feasts throughout the year. These feasts, in the order of their observance, is as follows:

• Feast of Passover
• Feast of Unleavened Bread
• Feast of Firstfruits
• Feast of Weeks
• Feast of Trumpets
• Day of Atonement
• Feast of Tabernacles

Each of these feasts are seasonal, memorial, and prophetic in nature. Seasonal in the sense that they are celebrated annually. Memorially in the sense that they are to keep before the people of the nation certain aspects of God’s faithful dealings with His people. And prophetically in the sense that they point to something in the vast panorama of God’s design for Israel, and for those who would embrace by faith the ultimate message these feasts present.

This week we are focusing our attention on the first three listed above: Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits. These are all relative to the events of Christ’s week of passion. The people of Israel have been unknowingly celebrating the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ each year as they celebrate these three annual feasts.

First, let’s think about the memorial aspect of these three feasts. The Feast of Passover memorialized the night God sent His death angel to kill the firstborn of every family throughout the land of Egypt. Moses instructed the people of Israel to kill a lamb and spread the blood over the doorposts of their homes. When the death angel came through the land, when he observed the blood, he would pass over those houses, sparing the firstborn of each home. However, every Egyptian home suffered death to the firstborn. The feast of Passover was an annual reminder of God’s protection through the shedding of blood.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread memorialized the command given through Moses to cook with unleavened bread as they prepared for their quick departure after the death angel had ravaged the land. This would have been an act of separation from the Egyptians, and an act of obedience to the Lord. It came to represent the putting away of sin, as leaven became symbolic of sin.

The Feast of Firstfruits would be celebrated on the first day of the week following Passover. It was the day in which the Israelites would bring the firstfruits of their harvests as a wave offering to the Lord. They did this as an act of faith in the fact that God would bring in the fullness of the harvest at the appropriate time.

Let’s turn our attention now to the prophetic aspect of these three feasts. On the Feast of Passover, a sacrificial lamb would be slain by each family, and would be eaten as the head of the house would recount the deliverance of Israel from the death angel. Prophetically, the sacrificial lamb is pointing to THE sacrificial Lamb, Jesus Christ. These powerful words spoken by John the Baptist clearly display this prophetic truth:

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

John 1:29

John obviously recognized Jesus as the One who would fulfill the prophetic aspect of the Passover lamb slain each year as a reminder of the fact that they had been saved from Egypt by the shedding of blood, and that now Jesus, through His shed blood, will make it possible for sinful man to be forgiven and reconciled to God. To further substantiate this prophetic aspect of Passover, the Apostle Paul makes this assertion:

“Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

1 Corinthians 5:7

Christ our Passover! John and Paul affirm the same phenomenal, prophetic truth: Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophetic aspect of the Feast of Passover. And now, His blood is spread upon the heart of the believer so that when the judgment comes, God’s wrath will “pass over” those who are covered with His blood.

Then, the Feast of Unleavened Bread prophetically points to fact that Christ cleanses us from our sin. Just as it represented the separation of Israel from Egypt, it represents our separation from sin as we put all “leaven” away from us.

And then finally we have the Feast of Firstfruits. Paul once again shows how this is fulfilled in Christ in these words:

“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

1 Corinthians 15:20

Christ being the firstfruits guarantees the resurrection of those who believe in Him and receive His gift of salvation. The Feast of Firstfruits is Easter. It was on this feast that Jesus was resurrected from the grave, and therefore we celebrate this Jewish feast on resurrection Sunday.

So, we see that these three feasts of Israel are all about Jesus. Therefore, unknowingly, the people of Israel have been celebrating the death, burial and resurrection annually ever since God gave Moses instructions on the observance of these feasts. And Christians, often unknowingly, observe the Feast of Firstfruits every year on the day we call Easter.

So, this week, I bid you happy Passover, happy unleavened bread, and happy firstfruits. Let’s celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ.