The feast of Firstfruits this year is celebrated tomorrow on 17th April, this should be the most important day in the Christian calendar. God has instituted a feast day to commemorate the resurrection of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ – Firstfruits!
The feast of firstfruits occurs very soon after Passover feast (which symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ) and is described in Leviticus 23:9-14. It is very important to remember that the account of Jesus Christ does not end with His sacrifice on our behalf. On the day after the first “weekly” Sabbath after the Passover, the Israelites were instructed to take part in the offering of “firstfruits”.
The Israelites were to take a sheaf from the first-fruits of the barley harvest at day-break and present it to the priests at the temple. The priest was to “wave” the sheaf up and down acknowledging that it is a blessing from the Lord. This symbolically pointed forward to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead to demonstrate the complete defeat of sin and death for those in Christ Jesus. Paul makes this point to the church in Corinth:
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
What else could Jesus Christ have done to demonstrate He really is Lord of Lords and King of Kings? Not only did He take it upon Himself to die in our place – He demonstrated power over sin and death in His resurrection from death. What a staggering gift for those who will accept Him! Surely, we should celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on this Biblical feast day?!
Read more about the Biblical feasts and Jesus Christ.
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