Category: Holy Days

Eighth Day of Assembly, Holy Days

Shemini Atzeret — The Eighth Day of Completion

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Leviticus 23:36, 39; Numbers 29:35–38; John 7:37–39; Revelation 21:1–7

Shemini Atzeret—translated as “the Eighth Day of Assembly”—begins at sundown on October 13, 2025, immediately following the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles. While it is connected to Sukkot, it stands as a separate and distinct appointed time. God calls His people to remain one more day—a sacred pause, a holy exhale, a final dwelling together.

An Assembly Beyond the Feast

“On the eighth day you shall have a sacred assembly… It is an assembly. You shall do no laborious work” (Leviticus 23:36).

In ancient Israel, this day was not marked by new rituals or symbols. Instead, it was a call to linger. After the rejoicing and remembrance of Tabernacles, God says, “Stay with Me one more day.” It is a symbol of completion and a foretaste of eternity.

Jesus and the Living Water

On the last day of the feast, which some associate with Shemini Atzeret, Jesus stood and cried out:

“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink… From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37–38).

This was more than an invitation—it was a promise. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was to come, not only to satisfy the soul, but to mark the beginning of new creation life.

The Eighth Day and New Creation

The number eight in Scripture often symbolizes new beginnings:

  • Eight people were saved in the ark (1 Peter 3:20)
  • Circumcision occurred on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12)
  • Jesus rose on the first day of the week, the day after the Sabbath—functionally, the eighth day (Luke 24:1)

Shemini Atzeret points us forward to the final new beginning:

“Behold, I am making all things new… I will dwell among them, and they shall be His people” (Revelation 21:5, 3)

This is not a rehearsal—it is the reality. The joy of Tabernacles becomes the eternal dwelling of God with man.

Devotional Reflection: One More Day, Forever

Read Together: Leviticus 23:36; John 7:37–39; Revelation 21:1–7

Discuss:

  • Why would God call for one more day after the joyful celebration of Tabernacles?
  • How does this feast point forward to eternal life?
  • What does it mean to “stay” with the Lord—not in obligation, but in desire?
  • How can we live each day now in anticipation of His eternal dwelling with us?

Reflect: Set aside time to simply be with the Lord. No agenda. No checklist. Just linger with Him. As Shemini Atzeret teaches us—when the feast is over, the fellowship continues.

Pray: Lord, thank You for calling us not only to remember but to remain. May our hearts long to dwell with You forever. Teach us to rejoice in Your presence, not only in celebration but in stillness. We wait for the day when You make all things new. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The feast concludes. The fellowship remains. Eternity is near.

2–3 minutes
previous

Leave a comment

Feast of Tabernacles, Holy Days

Feast of Tabernacles — God With Us

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Leviticus 23:33–43; Zechariah 14:16–19; John 1:14; John 7:2–39; Revelation 21:3–4

The Feast of Tabernacles—Sukkot—begins at sundown on October 6, 2025, and lasts for seven days, followed by a sacred assembly on the eighth day. It is the grand finale of the appointed times, a joyous celebration of God’s provision, presence, and promise. Israel was commanded to dwell in booths (sukkot) to remember their wilderness journey and to rejoice in the Lord.

But this was no mere camping trip. It was a prophetic rehearsal of something far greater: the coming of Emmanuel—God with us.

Dwelling in Booths: A Temporary Reminder

“You shall dwell in booths for seven days… so that your generations may know that I had the sons of Israel live in booths when I brought them out from the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 23:42–43).

During Sukkot, the people lived in makeshift shelters to recall how God sustained them in the wilderness. It was a time of rejoicing and remembering: God led them, fed them, and dwelled among them in the pillar of cloud and fire.

Jesus at the Feast

In John 7, we find Jesus attending the Feast of Tabernacles. On the last and greatest day of the feast, He stood and cried out:

“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)

This declaration occurred during the water-drawing ceremony, when priests would pour water at the altar in anticipation of rain and the Spirit. Jesus proclaimed He is the source of that living water. He is the presence of God among us.

And John had already declared:

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt [tabernacled] among us…” (John 1:14).

The Future Fulfillment: Dwelling Forever

The Feast of Tabernacles looks not only backward and inward—but forward:

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people…” (Revelation 21:3)

In the age to come, God will dwell permanently with His people. There will be no more need for temporary shelters. No more tears. No more separation. Just God with us, forever.

Devotional Reflection: Joy in His Presence

Read Together: Leviticus 23:33–43; John 7:2–39; Revelation 21:1–4

Discuss:

  • Why did God command Israel to rejoice during this feast?
  • How does Jesus fulfill the symbols of Sukkot?
  • What does it mean to experience His presence now, even before the final fulfillment?
  • How can we cultivate joy as we await His dwelling among us?

Reflect: Build a small booth or tent as a family, or sit outside under the stars. Remember how God has sustained you. Rejoice in His faithfulness. Let your heart long for the day when the dwelling of God will be fully with us.

Pray: Lord, You are our shelter, our provision, our joy. Thank You for coming to dwell among us through Christ. Help us rejoice in Your presence now, and long for the day when we will see You face to face. Amen.

The booth is temporary. His presence is eternal. Rejoice, for God will dwell with us forever.

2–3 minutes
previous
Next

Leave a comment

Day of Atonement, Holy Days

Day of Atonement — The High Priest Enters In

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Leviticus 16; Leviticus 23:26–32; Hebrews 9–10; Romans 3:21–26; Isaiah 53

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, begins at sundown on October 1, 2025. It is the most solemn of all the appointed times—a day of affliction, of sacred assembly, and of deep reflection. On this day, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies, not without blood, to make atonement for the sins of the people. It was a day when the weight of sin was acknowledged and the mercy of God was sought.

The Shadow in Leviticus

“For it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord” (Leviticus 16:30).

Leviticus 16 provides the most detailed account of the Day of Atonement. Two goats were chosen:

  • One was sacrificed, its blood sprinkled on the mercy seat.
  • The other, the scapegoat, bore the sins of the people and was led into the wilderness, never to return.

Only once a year could the high priest pass beyond the veil with the blood of atonement—a temporary covering for a sinful people before a holy God.

The Fulfillment in Christ

The Book of Hebrews reveals that Jesus is the greater fulfillment:

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come… through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:11–12).

Unlike the Levitical high priests, Jesus did not offer blood for His own sins. He had none. He entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, securing not a temporary covering but eternal forgiveness.

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The scapegoat, too, finds its fulfillment in Jesus. As Isaiah 53 declares:

“The Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him” (v. 6).

The Meaning for the Believer

Though we no longer sacrifice animals or await a priest to enter a physical temple, the spirit of Yom Kippur remains:

  • It is a call to humble ourselves before the Lord.
  • A time to reflect on the cost of atonement.
  • An invitation to draw near to the throne of grace with awe and gratitude.

We rejoice in the finished work of the cross—but we do so with reverence. For the veil was torn, the way made open, and the mercy seat sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb.

Devotional Reflection: Mercy Beyond the Veil

Read Together: Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9–10; Isaiah 53

Discuss:

  • What did the high priest’s actions on Yom Kippur teach about sin and holiness?
  • How does Jesus fulfill both the role of priest and sacrifice?
  • Why is it important to approach the Lord with both confidence and reverence?
  • How can we live in the power of His atonement daily?

Reflect: Spend time in prayer and repentance, not out of fear of condemnation, but in wonder at the price that was paid. Let the weight of Calvary deepen your worship and renew your love for the One who bore your sin.

Pray: Jesus, our great High Priest, thank You for entering the holy place on our behalf. Thank You for offering not the blood of goats, but Your own perfect life. Cleanse us afresh today. Let us live humbled, forgiven, and set apart. In Your holy name, Amen.

The veil is torn. The mercy seat is open. The High Priest has entered in.

2–4 minutes
previous
next

Leave a comment

Feast of Trumpets, Holy Days

Feast of Trumpets — The King Is Coming

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Leviticus 23:23–25; Numbers 10:1–10; Matthew 24:29–31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 11:15

The Feast of Trumpets, known in Hebrew as Yom Teruah, means “Day of Blowing.” It begins at sundown on September 22, 2025. This day was unique among the appointed times of the Lord. It was a memorial day marked by the blast of trumpets and a sacred assembly. No specific reason was given in the Torah—only that Israel was to rest, gather, and listen for the sound.

But Scripture interprets Scripture. And when the trumpet sounds in the Word of God, it announces something critical: the arrival of a king, a call to assembly, or a declaration of war.

A Day of Blowing and Awakening

“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation’” (Leviticus 23:24).

In Numbers 10, trumpets were used to:

  • Call the congregation together (v. 2)
  • Signal the movement of the camp (v. 5)
  • Sound the alarm for war (v. 9)
  • Celebrate joyous occasions and offerings (v. 10)

In this way, the Feast of Trumpets prepares the people—a wake-up call for the coming High Holy Days.

The Prophetic Picture: The Return of the King

Jesus spoke of His return in unmistakable terms:

“And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds…” (Matthew 24:31).

Paul says:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

The trumpet will announce the coming of the true King—Jesus, returning to judge, to redeem, and to reign.

In Revelation 11:15, at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, loud voices in heaven declare:

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”

A Call to Readiness

Yom Teruah calls us to pause, reflect, and prepare. It comes without warning, as the new moon was not visible until it was observed and confirmed. This is why Jesus said:

“Of that day and hour no one knows… but the Father alone” (Matthew 24:36).

Just as the feast was dependent on watchfulness, so is our readiness for Christ’s return. Are we listening for the trumpet?

Devotional Reflection: Awake, Watch, Prepare

Read Together: Leviticus 23:23–25; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Matthew 24:29–31

Discuss:

  • What did the trumpet signify in ancient Israel?
  • How does the sound of the trumpet relate to the second coming of Christ?
  • What does it mean to live in a state of spiritual readiness?
  • Are there areas of your life that need to come under the Lordship of the returning King?

Reflect: The Feast of Trumpets is both a warning and a promise. It reminds us that this world is not the end. Our King is coming, and He will not be late. Let the trumpet stir your heart toward repentance, worship, and joyful anticipation.

Pray: Lord, awaken us to the sound of Your trumpet. Shake us from spiritual slumber. Help us to live holy and alert, with lamps burning and hearts ready. We long for Your appearing. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

The trumpet will sound. The King will return. Are we ready?

2–3 minutes
previous
next

Leave a comment

Feast of Weeks, Holy Days

Pentecost (Shavuot)— The Spirit and the Harvest

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Leviticus 23:15–22; Acts 1:4–8; Acts 2:1–41; John 14:16–17; Joel 2:28–32

Fifty days after the waving of the Firstfruits offering, the Feast of Weeks—known in Greek as Pentecost—was celebrated. It marked the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest, a time of joyful gathering and thanksgiving. Yet in the fullness of time, God used this appointed day not only to gather grain, but to gather souls into His Kingdom.

The Count Leads to Completion

Leviticus 23 commands Israel to count seven complete Sabbaths from the day of Firstfruits, totaling fifty days (vv. 15–16). Then a new offering was to be presented to the LORD:

“You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering… they shall be of fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the Lord” (v. 17).

Unlike the earlier grain offerings, these two loaves were baked with leaven, symbolizing the full harvest of both Jew and Gentile—people from every nation, still imperfect, yet accepted in Christ.

The Fulfillment: The Holy Spirit Poured Out

In Acts 2, the early disciples were gathered in one place, as instructed by Jesus. Then suddenly:

“There came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:2,4).

This was the fulfillment of what Jesus had promised: the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the empowerment for witness (Acts 1:8), and the beginning of the Church’s public ministry.

It was also the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy:

“It shall come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind… And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered” (Joel 2:28,32).

The result? Three thousand souls were added to the Church that day (Acts 2:41). The true harvest had begun.

The Role of the Spirit in the Believer’s Life

Pentecost is not just a historical event—it is a present reality. The same Spirit who descended at Pentecost dwells in every believer today:

  • He teaches and reminds us of Christ’s words (John 14:26)
  • He empowers us to witness (Acts 1:8)
  • He produces fruit in us (Galatians 5:22–23)
  • He convicts the world of sin and testifies of Christ (John 16:8,14)

The indwelling of the Spirit is both the seal of our salvation and the source of our sanctification. Through Him, we are transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Devotional Reflection: From Grain to Glory

Read Together: Leviticus 23:15–22; Acts 2:1–41; Joel 2:28–32

Discuss:

  • Why do you think God chose to pour out the Spirit on the day of Pentecost?
  • What do the two leavened loaves symbolize?
  • How does the Spirit equip you for witness and transformation?
  • What does it mean to live in daily dependence on the Spirit?

Reflect: Take time to thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. As the early Church was empowered to declare the mighty works of God, ask the Lord to fill your life with the same boldness, holiness, and harvest. We are no longer counting the days—we are living in the fulfillment.

Pray: Holy Spirit, we welcome You. As You filled the disciples at Pentecost, fill us anew. Empower us to speak truth, live boldly, and walk in step with Your leading. May our lives be a living offering to the Lord of the harvest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The fire has fallen. The harvest has begun.

2–4 minutes
previous
next

Leave a comment

First Fruits, Holy Days

Firstfruits — He Is Risen!

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Leviticus 23:9–14; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Matthew 28; Romans 6:8–11

On April 20, 2025, the Feast of Firstfruits is celebrated on the day after the weekly Sabbath during Passover week. This appointed time marks the beginning of the barley harvest in Israel, when the first sheaf (omer) was brought before the LORD as an offering of thanksgiving and trust in God’s provision. Yet for those who belong to Christ, this feast takes on even deeper significance. It is the day that death was defeated. It is the day the tomb was found empty.

What Is Firstfruits?

In Leviticus 23, the LORD commanded:

“When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest… He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted” (vv. 10–11).

This sheaf represented the very first yield of the harvest. Offering it was a declaration of faith: if God accepted the first, He would bless the rest. It was an act of consecration and trust.

Jesus, the Firstfruits of the Resurrection

Paul connects this feast directly to Christ:

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Just as the priest would wave the sheaf of barley as a representative of the harvest to come, so Jesus was raised as the first of a new creation—a living guarantee that those who belong to Him will also rise.

“For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming” (vv. 21–23).

His resurrection wasn’t an isolated miracle—it was the down payment of a coming harvest. The tomb is empty, and because of that, ours will be too.

Raised to New Life

Firstfruits is not just about the future resurrection. It also proclaims newness of life now:

“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him… Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:8, 11).

Resurrection is not only our hope—it is our identity. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave now works in those who believe (Ephesians 1:19–20).

Celebrating with Barley: A Symbol of Consecration

To mark this day, many believers choose to incorporate barley into their celebration as a physical reminder of the spiritual harvest. Barley was the first crop to ripen in Israel and was seen as a humble offering from the land—one that God Himself chose as the symbol of resurrection.

Ideas for a Simple Firstfruits Celebration:

  • Barley Bread or Soup: Prepare a meal using barley and pray together, giving thanks for Christ, our Firstfruits.
  • Wave Sheaf Symbol: Create a small bundle of barley or another grain and wave it before the Lord as a declaration that your life is His.
  • Thanksgiving and Testimony: Reflect on how Christ has brought resurrection life into your home. Share testimonies of spiritual renewal.
  • New Commitments: As the sheaf was a symbol of consecration, use this day to rededicate your heart, family, or home to God’s purposes.

Counting the Omer: From Resurrection to Empowerment

Leviticus 23:15–16 gives this command:

“You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete Sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord.”

This count begins on Firstfruits and continues for fifty days until Shavuot (Pentecost). It was a season of expectancy—a time of waiting for harvest, revelation, and empowerment.

In Acts 1–2, we see the ultimate fulfillment of this period. From the resurrection to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the disciples waited together in prayer and obedience. On the fiftieth day, the Spirit descended.

For us today, counting the omer is a way to remember that salvation is not the end—it is the beginning of sanctification and mission. Each day is a step of preparation to be used by the Lord.

Suggestions for Counting the Omer:

  • Read one Psalm each day or walk through the Book of Acts.
  • Journal how God is forming Christ in you during this season.
  • Focus on “bearing fruit” in the Spirit: love, joy, peace…

We do not count up to Pentecost in obligation but in anticipation—we await the fullness of what God intends to do through His resurrected and Spirit-filled people.

Devotional Reflection: Living as the Harvest of God

Read Together: Leviticus 23:9–14; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Romans 6:8–11

Discuss:

  • What did the offering of Firstfruits symbolize for Israel?
  • How is Jesus the fulfillment of this feast?
  • How does our future resurrection shape the way we live now?
  • What does it mean to be “alive to God”?

Reflect: Thank God for the risen Christ. Let His resurrection become more than a doctrine—let it become your daily joy, strength, and expectation. We are not merely waiting for resurrection; we are already walking in it.

Pray: Father, thank You for raising Jesus from the dead as the firstfruits of the resurrection to come. Thank You that in Him we are made alive—now and forever. Help us to live each day in the power of His resurrection, bearing fruit that glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He is risen—and so shall we be.

Note:

Orthodox Judaism follows the Pharisaic / Rabbinic Interpretation (Majority of Modern Judaism), not necessarily a literal reading of Leviticus 23.

  • “Sabbath” = the first day of Unleavened Bread (which is a “High Sabbath,” not necessarily Saturday)
  • Therefore, Firstfruits = Nisan 16, regardless of the weekday
  • In 2025, Unleavened Bread begins at sundown April 13 (Nisan 15), so Firstfruits (Nisan 16) = April 14 evening to April 15 evening

Messianic Jews and many Christians who celebrate the feasts follow the Sadducean/Temple-era practice, which aligns with Jesus rising on Sunday and Paul calling Him the “Firstfruits” (1 Corinthians 15:20–23).

  • “Sabbath” = the weekly Sabbath (Saturday)
  • Firstfruits = the Sunday after that Sabbath, always a Sunday resurrection picture
  • In 2025, the weekly Sabbath during Passover week is April 19, so Firstfruits = Sunday, April 20
4–7 minutes
previous
next

Leave a comment

First Fruits, Holy Days

Messiah, the First Fruits: A Messianic Exposition and Devotional Journey

Rooted & Raised

I. Scriptural Foundation — What Are First Fruits?

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, “When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.”’
— Leviticus 23:9–11 (NASB 1995)

The Feast of First Fruits (Bikkurim) is one of the appointed times in Leviticus 23. It was celebrated on the day after the Sabbath following Passover—the first day of the week. As the barley harvest began, Israel was commanded to bring the first and best of their crop to the priest as a wave offering, consecrating the rest of the harvest to the LORD.

II. Understanding First Fruits in Jewish Thought

  1. Timing and Meaning

“Bikkurim” (בִּכּוּרִים) means first of the ripe fruits—a Hebrew idiom meaning what is most precious, set apart, and belonging to God.

First Fruits marked the beginning of the harvest season and launched the Counting of the Omer, a 50-day journey of anticipation leading to Shavuot (Pentecost).

  1. Cultural Insights

Farmers would tie a reed around the ripening sheaf and declare, “This is for the LORD.”

The “first” of anything—fruit, children, livestock—was not optional. In Jewish culture, it acknowledged that God owns everything, and we are simply stewards.

Jewish Idiom: “The first belongs to the King.” It was a way of honoring the covenant relationship with YHWH.

III. Fulfillment in Messiah — Jesus, the First Fruits

1 Corinthians 15:20–23 (NASB 1995)

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.”

Yeshua rose on the Feast of First Fruits, fulfilling this appointed time not only in timing but in meaning.

Messianic Fulfillment:

Jesus is the “First Fruits” of the resurrection—the first of the final harvest to be raised in glory.

Just as the first sheaf made the whole harvest holy, Messiah’s resurrection sanctifies the resurrection of all who belong to Him.

This also fulfills Psalm 16:10 — “You will not allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.”

Jewish Thought: “What begins in holiness continues in holiness.” The first fruits were a pledge of what’s to come.

IV. Key Themes and Jewish Idioms

V. Devotional Exercises — Living the First Fruits Life

Each of these is rooted in Scripture and can be practiced individually or with your family or small group.

  1. Gratitude Offering

Read: Deuteronomy 26:1–11
Do: Write down your “first fruits” in this season. What has God given you that you can give back—your time, talents, worship, resources?
Pray:

“Abba, everything I have comes from You. I offer You my first and best. Let my life be an offering, just as You gave me Your best in Yeshua.”

  1. Resurrection Reflection

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:12–28
Do: Journal what it means that Messiah is the first fruits of the resurrection. How does His resurrection shape your view of eternity?
Reflect:

“If He rose, so will I. My future is as secure as the empty tomb.”

  1. Counting the Omer — Spiritual Renewal

Read: Psalm 119:1–16
Do: Begin a 50-day Scripture journey from First Fruits to Pentecost. Each day, read a Psalm or passage, meditate, and record spiritual growth.
Blessing (adapted):

“Blessed are You, LORD our God, King of the universe, who sanctifies us in Messiah and teaches us by His Spirit.”

  1. Consecrate Your Harvest

Read: Romans 12:1–2
Do: Dedicate the areas of your life that need to be surrendered to the Lord—work, family, ministry, dreams. Offer them as a “wave offering.”
Pray:

“Yeshua, You are my First and Best. Teach me to live as a first fruits believer—holy, consecrated, and joyfully Yours.”

VI. Final Word — Messiah the First and the Guarantee

The first fruits were the pledge that more was coming. In Messiah’s resurrection, we have the guarantee that the full harvest of believers will one day rise. Until then, we live as consecrated ones—bearing fruit, growing in holiness, and anticipating the day of final redemption.

“But each in his own order: Messiah the First Fruits, then those who are Messiah’s at His coming.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:23

3–5 minutes
Previous
next

Leave a comment

Holy Days, Unleavened Bread

Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) — Buried with Christ, Made New

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Exodus 12:15–20; Leviticus 23:6–8; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8; Romans 6:4–11; John 6:35

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on April 13, 2025, immediately following Passover, and continues for seven days. During this appointed time, the people of Israel were commanded to remove all leaven from their homes and eat only unleavened bread. This feast did not merely commemorate haste in Egypt—it proclaimed the sanctification that follows deliverance.

What Leaven Represents

Leaven in Scripture often symbolizes sin, corruption, and false teaching. Paul wrote, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened” (1 Corinthians 5:6–7). The call was not simply to remove yeast from bread, but to rid our lives of hypocrisy, wickedness, and doctrinal compromise.

Unleavened bread, in contrast, points to sincerity and truth (v. 8). It is the pure, unpolluted nourishment of the Word and of Christ Himself, who declared, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).

The Burial of Christ and the Removal of Sin

The Feast of Unleavened Bread also prophetically coincides with the time Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. Having become sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), He was buried—and with Him, our old man was crucified (Romans 6:6). “Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death… so we too might walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

Christ’s death and burial are not just facts to be affirmed; they are realities into which the believer is baptized. Just as Israel left Egypt in haste, leaving behind the leaven of bondage, so we are to leave behind the leaven of our former lives.

Living as Unleavened People

Paul did not tell the Corinthians to become unleavened—he told them they already were: “you are in fact unleavened.” This is a positional truth, grounded in Christ. Yet he also commanded, “Clean out the old leaven.” This is our response in obedience.

Our new identity in Christ demands a new walk: holy, distinct, and sincere. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a call to examine our hearts, to purge out the hidden things of darkness, and to walk as children of light.

Devotional Reflection: Sanctified by the Word and Spirit

Read Together: Exodus 12:15–20; 1 Corinthians 5:6–8; Romans 6:4–11

Discuss:

  • Why did God command the removal of all leaven?
  • How does leaven illustrate the dangers of sin or false teaching in our lives?
  • What does it mean that we are already “unleavened” in Christ?
  • How can we actively “clean out the old leaven” day by day?

Reflect: Spend time identifying areas where sin or compromise may have crept in unnoticed. Invite the Holy Spirit to search and purify. Remember that our sanctification is both a gift and a responsibility.

Pray: Father, You have delivered us not only from judgment but into a new and holy life. Cleanse us from hidden faults, and teach us to walk in sincerity and truth. Thank You for burying our old selves with Christ. Help us now to live as a new lump, pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let us walk as unleavened, for He who died was buried—and we with Him—so that we might truly live.

2–3 minutes
previous
next

Leave a comment

Holy Days, Passover

🕊️ Passover: God’s Appointed Time

Rooted & Raised

Passover was instituted by God Himself:

“Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance.”
— Exodus 12:14, NASB 1995

Jesus honored the Passover with His disciples the night He was betrayed (Matthew 26:17–19). He did not replace it, but fulfilled its meaning as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

The early Church—especially Jewish believers and even many Gentile believers—continued to commemorate Christ’s death and resurrection in the context of Passover, not outside of it.

⚔️ The Schism: From Obedience to Imperial Power

🔹 Ignatius of Antioch (Early 2nd Century)

  • One of the earliest voices urging a departure from “Judaizing.”
  • He instructed believers to no longer observe “the Sabbath” as Jews did, but to honor “the Lord’s Day” (Sunday) instead.

This wasn’t merely honoring Christ’s resurrection—it became a repudiation of the Jewish calendar and practice.

🔹 Quartodeciman Controversy (2nd Century)

  • Quartodecimans (Latin for “Fourteeners”) observed the death of Christ on the 14th of Nisan, the biblical Passover.
  • Others (especially in Rome and Alexandria) preferred celebrating on a Sunday—regardless of the biblical calendar—to distinguish themselves from Jewish practices.

This dispute was widespread and intense. Yet the Quartodecimans were simply following the pattern found in Scripture—what the Apostles and early Church had done.

🔥 Council of Nicaea (AD 325)

This is where the divide became enshrined by law.

Emperor Constantine, who presided over the council (despite being unbaptized and still involved in pagan worship), said:

“…it appeared an unworthy thing that in the celebration of this most holy feast we should follow the practice of the Jews… Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd…”
— Eusebius, Life of Constantine, Book III, Chapter 18

They decreed that the resurrection should be celebrated on a Sunday, not according to the Jewish calendar, and thus severed the Church’s celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection from its biblical roots.

⚠️ The Result: Easter Replaces Passover

  • “Easter” eventually became associated with the pagan spring festival to the goddess Eostre (from which the English name derives).*
  • Biblical timing was replaced with ecclesiastical calendars.
  • Man-made tradition overtook God’s ordained moedim (appointed times).

“Thus you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
— Matthew 15:6, NASB 1995

✝️ What Did the Early Believers Do?

The Ante-Nicene Church—those who followed Christ between the time of the Apostles and the Council of Nicaea—did not separate the crucifixion and resurrection from Passover. They recognized Jesus as the fulfillment of it, not a replacement.

They obeyed the appointed times (moedim) not as legalistic requirements but as prophetic celebrations pointing to Christ’s redemptive work.

🔥 Final Thoughts: Can Man Override God’s Calendar?

No.

Though councils may decree, emperors may impose, and theologians may rationalize, God’s Word stands.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”
— Matthew 24:35, NASB 1995

God ordained the feasts as shadows of the substance in Christ (Colossians 2:16–17). They are not to be discarded, but fulfilled in truth and Spirit, not severed from their purpose.

✅ What We Know Historically

*The Name “Easter” Appears in English and German Only
The English word “Easter” is derived from the Old English Ēastre or Ēostre.

The 8th-century historian Bede (in De Natura Rerum and The Reckoning of Time) claimed that the month Ēosturmōnaþ (April) was named after a Saxon goddess called Ēostre, and that Christians adopted the name when celebrating Christ’s resurrection.

“Eosturmonath, which is now interpreted as the Paschal month, was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre…” — Bede, The Reckoning of Time, ch. 15

🔍 However:

Bede is the only ancient source who ever mentions this goddess.

There is no archaeological or written evidence (outside of Bede) for a goddess named Eostre being worshiped in Anglo-Saxon or Germanic paganism.

So, while the name might have originated from a springtime festival month, the goddess connection is weakly attested and largely speculative. Nevertheless, man-made tradition overtook God’s ordained moedim (appointed times).

3–4 minutes
Previous
Next

Leave a comment

Holy Days, Passover

Passover (Pesach) — The Lamb, the Table, and the Bridegroom

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Exodus 12; Leviticus 23:4–5; Matthew 26:17–30; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Revelation 19:7–9

As Passover begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12, 2025, we pause to remember a story of deliverance that God wrote into the very foundations of His covenant with Israel. Yet this deliverance was not just a shadow of things to come—it was a prophetic foreshadowing of a greater Lamb, a greater exodus, and a greater feast prepared for a Bride who has made herself ready.

The First Passover: A Sign of Substitutionary Deliverance

When the LORD instituted Passover in Exodus 12, He commanded each household to take a lamb, without blemish, and keep it until the fourteenth day of the first month. The lamb was not merely a ritual object—it was a substitute. It would die in place of the firstborn. Its blood was to be spread on the doorposts and lintel as a sign. The destroyer would pass over any home marked by the blood.

Here we see a vital gospel truth: Israel was not spared because of their own righteousness, but because of God’s mercy and provision. The blood of the lamb was the only difference between the spared and the struck.

Christ, Our Passover

The New Testament declares this plainly: “For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7b). John the Baptist recognized this when he cried, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). The Passover lamb was not just a memorial of Egypt—it was a prophetic picture of the Lamb who would come to bear the judgment of God for sin.

Every detail of the Passover lamb was fulfilled in Jesus:

  • Without blemish (Exodus 12:5) — Christ was sinless (Hebrews 4:15).
  • None of its bones broken (Exodus 12:46) — fulfilled in John 19:36.
  • Slain at twilight — Jesus died at the ninth hour, the time of the evening sacrifice (Mark 15:34).

The Last Supper: A Betrothal Meal

On the night He was betrayed, Jesus sat at table with His disciples to celebrate Passover. But this meal, the Last Supper, was unlike any before it. The Lamb Himself was hosting. He took the bread and the cup, symbols of affliction and redemption, and redefined them in His own body and blood: “This is My body, which is given for you… This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:19–20).

In Jewish wedding custom, a man would offer a cup of wine to the woman he desired to marry. If she accepted and drank, she agreed to become his bride. Jesus offered the cup that night to all who would enter covenant with Him. It was not only a remembrance of redemption but a proposal. In doing so, He wove wedding language into the Passover.

The Bridegroom’s Promise and the Wedding Feast

Jesus then said, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). This is the language of betrothal. Just as the Jewish bridegroom would go to prepare a place for his bride and return for her, Jesus promised, “I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself” (John 14:2–3).

Thus, the Passover is not only a remembrance of Egypt but a rehearsal for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7–9). We, the Church, purified by the blood of the Lamb, are the Bride who waits, watches, and prepares herself in righteousness (Revelation 19:8).

Ramifications for the Disciple of Christ Today

  • Do we recognize the cost of our redemption? Passover demands that we never treat Christ’s body and blood as common or profane (Hebrews 10:29). To take communion without reverence is to forget the cross.
  • Are we living as a betrothed Bride? A woman betrothed in Jewish culture would remain faithful, pure, and expectant. Our lives should reflect the holiness and anticipation of the Bride awaiting her Bridegroom.
  • Are we ready for the feast? The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–13) reminds us that only those who were prepared entered with the Bridegroom. We are called to spiritual readiness, clothed in righteousness, with lamps burning.

Devotional Thought for Families or Small Groups

Read Exodus 12:1–30 and Matthew 26:17–30 together. Discuss the significance of the lamb’s blood, the cup, and Christ’s promise to return. Consider asking:

  • Why did God command Israel to remember the Passover year after year?
  • How is Jesus both our Passover Lamb and Bridegroom?
  • What does it mean to be ready for His return?

Reflect: Take a quiet moment as a family or group to think on the Lamb who was slain. Consider the weight of sin, the wonder of substitution, and the joyful hope of the coming wedding feast.

Pray: Father, thank You for the blood of the Lamb that covers and cleanses us. Thank You for redeeming us from slavery to sin and death. Help us to live as Your beloved Bride—faithful, watchful, and filled with Your Spirit. May we long for the day when the Bridegroom returns and the marriage supper begins. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus.

4–5 minutes
previous
next

Leave a comment