The Feasts of Israel: Shadows of Jesus' Ministry
God commanded the Israelites to observe seven feasts.
These feasts were not mere traditions but prototypes and shadows of the redemptive work that Jesus would fulfill.

The Feasts of Israel

• Passover
• Unleavened Bread
• Firstfruits
• Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)
• Feast of Trumpets
• Day of Atonement
• Feast of Tabernacles

1. The Origin and Significance of the Feasts

Through these feasts, the Israelites commemorated their history and God’s grace.

First Group: Passover and Unleavened Bread

• Passover: Celebrates liberation from Egypt and remembers the sacrifice of the lamb.
• Unleavened Bread: Commemorates the suffering in Egypt and the haste in leaving it.

Second Group: Firstfruits and Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

• Firstfruits: Marks the day of salvation through the crossing of the Red Sea, offering the first harvest to God.
• Feast of Weeks (Pentecost): Celebrates receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai and offering the harvested grain to God.

Third Group: Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles

• Feast of Trumpets: Blowing trumpets as a call to repentance and preparation to meet God.
• Day of Atonement: Marks the day of receiving the second set of Ten Commandments; the High Priest enters the Most Holy Place to atone for Israel’s sins.
• Feast of Tabernacles: Commemorates building the temple to house the commandments; involves constructing booths and reading God’s Word inside them.

2. The Fulfillment of the Feasts in Jesus

All these feasts were perfectly fulfilled in Jesus.

First Group: Passover and Unleavened Bread

• Jesus as the Passover Lamb: Jesus was sacrificed on the cross as the Lamb of God.
• Unleavened Bread: Jesus was buried after enduring suffering and death for humanity’s sins.

Fulfillment:

• Passover: Jesus’ sacrifice (1 Corinthians 5:7).
• Unleavened Bread: Jesus’ death and the disciples’ sorrow.

Second Group: Firstfruits and Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

• Firstfruits: Jesus rose from the dead as the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
  “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20)
• Feast of Weeks (Pentecost): After Jesus’ resurrection, many saints were raised and entered heaven (Matthew 27:52-53).

Fulfillment:

• Firstfruits: Jesus’ resurrection.
• Pentecost: The resurrection of many saints following Jesus’ resurrection.

Third Group: Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles

• Feast of Trumpets: Before His ascension, Jesus emphasized the importance of repentance and preparing to receive the Holy Spirit.
  “The Redeemer will come to those who repent.” (Isaiah 59:20)
• Day of Atonement: Jesus, as the High Priest, entered the heavenly sanctuary and cast Satan out of heaven.
  “The great dragon was hurled down to the earth.” (Revelation 12:7-9)
• Feast of Tabernacles: With the presence of the Holy Spirit, the bodies of believers became the temple of God.
  “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Fulfillment:

• Feast of Trumpets: Preparation for repentance and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
• Day of Atonement: Jesus’ ascension and Satan’s expulsion from heaven.
• Feast of Tabernacles: Believers’ bodies became the temple of God.

3. Spiritual Fulfillment and the Meaning for Faith

Connection Between the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles
Just as the Israelites built booths and read Scripture after the Day of Atonement, Jesus engraved God’s Word in the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit. This signifies the simultaneous fulfillment of the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.

4. Conclusion: Jesus, the Fulfillment of All Feasts

From Passover to the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus fulfilled all the prophetic meanings of the feasts.
His sacrifice, resurrection, ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit completed God’s plan of salvation.

How Should We View the Feasts Today?

Since Jesus has fulfilled each feast, their essence is no longer in outward rituals.
Our faith now celebrates the completeness of salvation accomplished in Jesus, moving forward with gratitude and belief. (Hebrews 10:18)

Jesus is the true Savior of all the feasts.
Through Him, we understand how God’s plan of salvation has been fulfilled.
Let us remember the love and sacrifice of Jesus, who fulfilled the feasts, and walk the path of salvation with faith and gratitude.