Tag: Holiday

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Teen Devotional — Day 84

Rooted & Raised

The Law of Christ = Love

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2 (NASB 1995)

You don’t have to “fix” everyone’s problems—but you are called to carry some of them. Not in your own strength, but in the Spirit’s.

Real strength shows up when you lift someone else’s load, even when it’s inconvenient.

That’s love. And that’s what the Spirit empowers.

Challenge:
 Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one person who’s struggling. Then ask how you can come alongside them.

Prayer:
 Holy Spirit, make me strong in love. Teach me to carry burdens with others, not just for them. Use me to bring real help and hope. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Children’s Devotional — Day 84

Rooted & Raised

Help Carry the Load

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2 (NASB 1995)

Have you ever helped carry groceries? Or picked up something a friend dropped?

That’s what the Bible means when it says to “bear one another’s burdens.” The Holy Spirit helps us be kind when others are sad, hurt, or in need.

Try This:
 Look for one way to help a friend or family member today.

Prayer:
 Holy Spirit, show me how to help others when they’re having a hard time. I want to be kind like Jesus. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

👩‍🦰 Women’s Devotional — Day 84

Rooted & Raised

A Spirit-Led Sisterhood

“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2 (NASB 1995)

We were never meant to carry everything alone. The Spirit draws us into community—a place where burdens are shared, tears are witnessed, and love is proven.

Bearing one another’s burdens doesn’t always mean fixing problems. Sometimes it means simply being there—present, prayerful, Spirit-led.

This is how we fulfill the law of Christ: love expressed in action, led by compassion, powered by the Holy Spirit.

Reflection:
 Whose burden have I been avoiding? How might the Spirit want me to come alongside them?

Prayer:
 Holy Spirit, teach me to walk with others in their pain, not away from it. Help me fulfill Christ’s law through Spirit-filled love. Amen.

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

Eschatology, From the Archives, The Last Days

Why Eschatology Matters

Rooted & Raised

From the series: Understanding the End Times — A Biblical Framework

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV)

When you hear the word eschatology, it may sound intimidating, even academic. But in simple terms, eschatology means “the study of last things.” It’s about what God has revealed in His Word concerning the future — the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the new heavens and earth.

The question is: does this matter for our daily lives? According to Scripture, it matters more than we often realize. Eschatology shapes the way we live in the present, strengthens our faith, and calls us to walk as watchful disciples.

What Is Eschatology?

The word comes from two Greek terms:

  • eschatos = “last” or “final”
  • logos = “word, discourse, or study”

So eschatology simply means the study of the last things. Scripture uses this framework to reveal God’s purposes: the kingdom of Christ, the judgment of the nations, the resurrection of the dead, and the restoration of all creation.

Along the way, you’ll encounter key words like:

  • Millennium (Revelation 20:1–6) — Christ’s 1,000-year reign.
  • Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) — a unique time of distress and judgment.
  • Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17) — the church caught up to meet Christ.
  • Apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3) — the great falling away before the man of sin is revealed.

Don’t let these terms overwhelm you. They are simply markers that help us explore what God has already revealed.

Why Study Prophecy?

Some Christians avoid prophecy, thinking it’s too divisive or complicated. But God says otherwise:

  • Hope — “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
  • Holiness — “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3)
  • Mission — “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
  • Comfort — “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

Far from being speculative, prophecy is intensely practical. It strengthens our endurance, calls us to holy living, fuels our urgency for the gospel, and comforts us with the promise of Christ’s return.

Can We Trust the Bible’s Prophecy?

Skeptics often ask: “How do you know these ancient texts haven’t been corrupted?” The evidence is overwhelming:

  • The Dead Sea Scrolls (dated ~150 BC) show Isaiah’s words copied with astonishing accuracy for over 1,000 years.
  • The New Testament is preserved in more than 5,800 Greek manuscripts — more than any other ancient document.
  • Archaeology repeatedly confirms Scripture:
    • The Cyrus Cylinder validates Isaiah’s prophecy of Cyrus by name (Isaiah 44:28).
    • The Tel Dan Stele confirms the dynasty of King David.
    • The Pilate Inscription affirms Pontius Pilate as prefect in Judea.

Even more compelling is fulfilled prophecy itself:

  • Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1).
  • His entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4–5).
  • His piercing and suffering (Isaiah 53; Psalm 22).

If God has been this precise in what’s already fulfilled, we can trust Him for what is yet to come.

Apostasy — The Last Days Backdrop

Before the glory of Christ’s return, Scripture warns of a great departure from truth:

  • “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
  • “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1)
  • “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12)

This isn’t mere personal struggle. Apostasy is a deliberate turning away from God’s truth — and it is the hallmark of the last days.

Watchfulness, Not Date-Setting

There is a danger on both sides:

  • Neglect — ignoring prophecy altogether.
  • Speculation — trying to set dates, which Jesus forbids (Matthew 24:36).

Instead, Christ commands: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)

The call is to watchfulness, not panic. We may not know the exact day or hour, but we are called to recognize the season (1 Thessalonians 5:4–6).

Reflection

Eschatology is not meant to confuse us but to anchor us. God has given prophecy not to entertain our curiosity but to equip our faith. To ignore it is to ignore part of His Word. To abuse it is to twist His truth. But to embrace it rightly is to live with hope, holiness, mission, and comfort.

Reflection Questions

  1. When you think of prophecy, do you feel overwhelmed, skeptical, or encouraged? Why?
  2. Which of the four purposes of prophecy (hope, holiness, mission, comfort) do you most need to strengthen in your life right now?
  3. How can you practice watchfulness without slipping into fear or speculation?

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You that You have revealed the end from the beginning. Thank You for the hope of Christ’s return, the call to holiness, the urgency of mission, and the comfort of Your promises. Guard us from deception in these last days. Teach us to live as watchful disciples, ready for the return of our Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next

References & Further Reading

Scripture:

  • Titus 2:13 — the “blessed hope.”
  • Matthew 24:42 — command to watch.
  • 2 Timothy 4:8 — crown for those who love His appearing.
  • Revelation 1:3 — blessing for reading prophecy.

Early Church Witnesses:

  • Papias (AD 60–130), fragment recorded by Eusebius, affirming a literal 1,000-year reign.
  • Justin Martyr (Dialogue with Trypho, ch. 80) — affirms premillennial hope.

Archaeological & Textual:

  • Dead Sea Scrolls (1947–) — confirming OT prophetic manuscripts preserved with high accuracy.
  • Codex Sinaiticus (c. AD 350) — one of the oldest complete NT manuscripts.

Extra-Biblical Sources:

  • Josephus, Wars of the Jews (Book 6) — description of Jerusalem’s fall in AD 70.
  • Tacitus, Annals (Book 15) — Roman historian noting early Christians and persecution.

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

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Kingdom Kids Devotional — Day 17

Rooted & Raised

Subscribe to continue reading

Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.

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