Leviticus 23:1-8 HOLIDAYS Originally holidays were days set aside for the children of Israel to have celebrations with God. Holy days were designated by the Lord for the benefit of His people and a time of remembrance and teaching about important events. The Sabbath was a weekly day of rest to conclude the efforts of six days of labor. It was designated as a sign of fellowship between God and His people because of His grace. God rested and He found satisfaction in the work of creation as He prepared the world for habitation by man. It was to be a time when God would find sweet fellowship and communion with those who would choose to love Him and share life with Him. But mankind willfully failed and sin brought separation. In the nation of Israel God had in mind a kingdom of priests but the nation failed. Now because of the all-sufficient work of Christ on our behalf there is "a rest for the people of God," and we find our rest in Christ. In spite of all that goes on around us we can rest in Him now, and labor for Him in view of the everlasting rest we shall have when life as we know it now is past.
So even though we are not called upon today to be Sabbath keepers as were the Jews, we find our rest in Christ, and on the "Lordly Day" remember Him and review His death until He returns. Also, on the first day of the week, the "Lord's Day," we remember the resurrection of Christ and are assured of our own part in "the first resurrection" of "the just." The first day is also a day of revelation as John the apostle wrote of prophetic truths that open our understanding to some of the things that will come to pass in the future. He also was used by the Holy Spirit to write to seven churches so that the saints would realize how important the conduct and practice of the Lord's people today is to Him. There is also the responsibility on the first day of the week to set aside that which is proportionate to what we have received from our labors, and give it to God as an offering reflecting our gratitude and appreciation for what He has given to us from His bounty.
There were two festival seasons for the nation of Israel. Early in the year there were four special feasts and then later in the year three more. These were to be reminders of significant events that affected the whole nation from the time of the beginning until the future kingdom's peaceful reign of Christ, their Messiah. The Passover, the Feast of Freedom, was on the 14th day of the first month as a reminder of the deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt. During that feast the oldest boy would ask, "Why is this night different from all other nights?" and that would provide the opening for a historical account of Israel's past from a mature adult. Redemption by the blood of the Passover lamb was to be annually brought to the attention of every succeeding generation of Jews lest they forget the greatness of God who brought them out of bondage unto Himself, and at that time made of them a nation that is in existence today.
On the 15th day of the first month the Jews held the Feast of Unleavened Bread that lasted for seven days. This feast was to remind them all that God intends His people to walk in righteousness and purity of life. Holiness is expected of a called-out people who have been called to follow a Holy God. There was no leaven allowed in the homes of God's people during that week. They were not to go about their normal work, and were to make an "offering made by fire" unto the Lord. No manual labor was done throughout the whole nation for that week. The works of man have no part in the acceptance of an offering made by fire that is acceptable to God.
The beginning of those yearly feasts was the one that was a type of the redemption we have through Christ. Now instead of an annual event, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast" - and we do so weekly as we remember Him and proclaim His death until He comes again. The righteousness of life and moral purity that was typified in the feast of unleavened bread that lasted for seven days, is to be characteristic of us all the time. Whatever we do "in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." The order of our remembrance is the review of the Person and work of our Savior-Redeemer first. In view of such a gracious redemptive work, righteousness of life outwardly and holiness inwardly, should characterize all we do, and sanctify it. The unleavened bread was pierced and striped as it was baked. That reminds us of the One whose hands and feet and side was pierced and by whose stripes we are healed.
Those who had a week set aside to remember their redemption, and who ate the unleavened bread with the piercing and stripes that made it bake thoroughly through, would be able to see by faith what had happened for them. There were also those who would look ahead and the God who delivered them and brought them this far, would not abandon nor forsake those who followed Him. Even those special holidays and the feasts held at that time, would reveal to those who had faith in God, the fact that the real Person would come and fulfill the type. That is where we come into the blessings of God today. We know by faith looking back, what they could know by looking ahead by faith.
"What is so special about this night?" the childish voice would say. Then a mature one would review the events of the night of the fourteenth day Of the first month of the year when with a mighty arm of power - God delivered His people at the stroke of the midnight hour.
For us - our children might ask, "Why is bread and wine on the table spread?" And we can reply to them, "Christ, our Passover has died, and for us His blood was shed." Now our Passover Lamb has risen, God is forever totally satisfied. His every demand has been met, when for our sins the Redeemer died.
Our feast keeping is a time of paradox, both sorrow and joy we have. Sorrow for what our sins cost Him, joy for the eternal life He gave. Our feast involves eating the bread, we are now found in Him complete. With solemn yet joyful songs and thoughts, of the Bread of God we eat.
The cup is not bitter to us as it was to Him, it speaks of new life given. The eternal life God gave us is the same now as it will be in heaven. We are able even now to enter into the good of fellowship with God. There is no condemnation now to those in Christ Jesus, we honor Him as Lord.
The old feasts were types and fore-shadowing of good things yet to come. They looked back to where they came from, and forward to their new home. We have the present reality, but still look darkly as through a glass. All will become crystal clear when we get to our home at last.
"Father, may I learn the value of my redemption over again when we keep the feast in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the resulting effect be a more faithful commitment to a righteous walk and purity within. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."