The Spring Festivals
Each Spring holds important dates on the Biblical calendar. When Jesus fulfilled these events, they became our cultural inheritance.
Appointed Days in the Spring
- Passover (Pesach)
- Feast of Unleavened Bread (Ha' Matza'ot)
- Day of Firstfruits (Yom HaBikkurim)
- Pentecost (Shavuot)
Nissan 15
Passover
Passover is the remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. The Passover meal, often called The Last Supper by Christians, serves as a memorial for what God did to save His people.
Just as the Passover Lamb’s blood rescued the Hebrew people from slavery, Jesus’ blood saves us from the slavery of our sin. With Passover joy, Paul exclaimed, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the festival…” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
NISSAN 15 - NISSAN 22
Feast of Unleavened Bread
The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a 7-day festival following Passover. Because yeast did not have time to rise when the Israelites fled Egypt, the custom of clearing yeast from homes began in preparation of Passover.
Paul likely referred to this custom, comparing yeast to sin, when he said, “Get rid of the old yeast…” (Leviticus 23:4-8; I Corinthians 5:17).
DAY AFTER SHABBAT AFTER PASSOVER
Day of First Fruits
The firstfruits of the barley harvest were gathered into a small amount (called an omer) and waved as an offering to God. The offering was like a promise from God for a good harvest 50 days later.
Firstfruits falls on the day after the Sabbath after Passover and is also the day that Jesus rose from the dead. He is our Firstfruit. “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (Leviticus 23:9-14; 1 Corinthians 15:20).
50 DAYS AFTER FIRSTFRUITS
Pentecost (Shavuot)
This Spring harvest-time party, called Shavuot (Hebrew for “weeks”), is when the firstfruits of the harvest were brought to the Temple with thanksgiving for God’s provision.
Renamed Pentecost by the Greeks, this is one of three annual invitations from God to meet with Him face-to-face. Providentially in the year Jesus died, God sent the Holy Spirit to those gathered in Jerusalem on Pentecost (Leviticus 23:17-21; Acts 2).
Fall Festivals
Every Autumn, 23 days—bookended by two big parties—fill the calendar with reasons to celebrate.
- Feast of Trumpets
- Day of Atonement
- Sukkot
Special days of God's choosing come with an opportunity to say yes to His invitation and join together in celebration!