PASSOVER
This feast celebrates the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt through Moses and humanity’s deliverance from sin and death through Jesus Christ. Passover is observed through the Passover Seder Meal. The Passover Seder Meal is a family gathering established by God to celebrate the liberation of Israel from Egyptian captivity and humanity’s redemption from sin and death. It is a celebration meal to be shared by family members and friends.
THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD
Exodus 12:14-20 and Leviticus 23:5-8 explains the origin and purpose of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins the day after Passover and continues for seven days. The observance of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is a symbol of our commitment to turn towards righteousness and turn away from sin. During this weeklong feast, nothing with leaven in it may be eaten. Abstaining from leavened bread for seven days is symbolic of God’s people separating themselves from sin and turning towards a holy relationship with the Lord. The Lord requires us to clean our homes of any food products that contain leaven, yeast, baking powder, baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate. Foods with leaven include breads, cereals, cakes, pies, crackers, and soups. Read the labels on all of your foods, especially in the pantry and freezer. A list of foods containing leaven can be obtained online at www.feastfacts.com.
THE FEAST OF FIRSTFRUITS
The word firstfruits means “a promise to come.” On the day of Firstfruits, the Church Family will bring a special offering to the Lord. This offering will represent the firstfruits of any financial income since the Feast of Tabernacles. In Leviticus 23:9-14, the first crops of the barley harvest were offered to God as an offering of thanksgiving for the promise of an abundant harvest. This offering, lifted up to the Lord, is called the early firstfruits. In I Corinthians 15:23, Jesus is considered the firstfruit of the harvest of all who have died in him. This Feast was fulfilled when Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. For Christians, this feast is important because it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
THE FEAST OF PENTECOST
The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the giving of the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament and the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. This feast is to be filled with joy and thanksgiving for God’s bountiful blessings of the harvest. During the celebration of Pentecost, believers will bring the firstfruits of any financial income since the Passover. This offering is called the latter firstfruit offering and symbolizes our thanksgiving to God for providing the “latter” spring harvest.