How is the meaning of each of the Jewish feasts fulfilled in Jesus?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The seven Old Testament feasts God instituted as part of Mosaic Law point to Christ.

Jesus represented the Passover Lamb, the covering for our sin (Leviticus 23:5; John 1:29).

The Feast of Unleavened Bread pointed to Jesus’ sinless life and death for our sins (Leviticus 23:6; 1 Peter 1:19). Jesus was resurrected on the day of First Fruits because he was the first to defeat death through His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20). The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, was when Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), which was the starting point of the church.

The three fall feasts connect to Jesus’ second coming. Many connect the Feast of Trumpets to the rapture, when Jesus appears as He returns for the Church heralded by the sound of a trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:52). The Day of Atonement is when the Jewish remnant receives the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:1-6, 25-36). Jesus has already made atonement for all believers; some believe this festival points to Jesus' second coming when atonement is fully realized and the Jewish remnant recognizes Jesus as Messiah.

Finally, the Feast of Tabernacles foreshadows Jesus’ second coming, when He will reign for a thousand years on Earth and ultimately live with His people for all eternity in the new heavens and new earth (Micah 4:1-7; Revelation 21:3-4). Jesus’ connection to the seven feasts shows, yet again, the coherency of Scripture.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• In Leviticus 23, God speaks to Moses about seven feasts. Observant Jews still celebrate them.
• Four feasts occur in the spring and are connected to Jesus' first appearance on earth. They are:
• Passover (Leviticus 23:5)
• Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6)
• First Fruits (Leviticus 23:9-14)
• Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-21).
• Three feasts in the fall occur over a 15-day period of time. Scholars and theologians believe the symbolism of these feasts will be literally fulfilled in connection with Jesus' second coming. They are the:
• Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25)
• Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32)
• Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-43).
• The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, pointed to Jesus as He sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Passover points to Jesus as the Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The perfect lamb's blood was spilled to protect the Hebrews from the tenth plague prior to their release from Egypt. Jesus' blood serves as our covering against the justice that should be brought against us due to our sin. Jesus was crucified on the very day the Jews slaughtered lambs in preparation for Passover the next day.
• The Unleavened Bread describes Jesus' sinless life. Leaven is symbolic of sin throughout the Bible (Matthew 16:6). Jesus was without sin and therefore a blameless, spotless, perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus' body remained in the grave during the beginning days of this feast. He, like a planted seed, would resurrect into new life (1 Peter 1:19)
• Jesus was resurrected on the day of First Fruits, becoming the first to defeat death and offer us new life. This is one reason Paul refers to Jesus as the "firstfruits" of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20).
• Fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. Several sacrifices were made during the Weeks Festival, which is tied to the theme of harvest. At Pentecost (Acts 2), Jesus sent the Holy Spirit. Peter preached and about three thousand Jews responded to his proclamation of the gospel. This Pentecost is considered to be the birth of the church.
• The Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, is the first fall feast. Many connect this to the rapture, when Jesus appears as He returns for the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 1 Corinthians 15:52), as it is announced by the blast of a trumpet.
• Also in the fall, the Day of Atonement is when the Jewish remnant is to look upon the One they pierced, repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah as foretold in Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:1-6, 25-36. Jesus has already made atonement for believers (Jew and Gentile alike) on the cross. Many believe this festival points prophetically to Jesus' second coming when atonement is fully realized and the Jewish remnant recognizes Jesus as Messiah.
• The seventh festival, the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths foreshadows when Jesus will once again dwell with His people (Revelation 21:3-4).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Thanksgiving and Christmas are times for eating . . . and gaining weight. In fact, it’s commonly said that the average weight gain for the last two months of the year is around six pounds. And that’s just two holidays. Imagine having seven as the ancient Israelites did. But their feasts weren’t just about food. They had symbolic meaning that pointed to Jesus, the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

Today, some Messianic Jews (those who believe Jesus is the foretold Messiah) still celebrate those festivals. Believers are no longer under Mosaic Law, and as Paul writes, we’re to follow our convictions about such celebrations (Colossians 2:16-17). But all believers will attend one celebration: The marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). Our role as believers now isn’t just to anticipate that grand gathering of all gatherings; our goal should be to help as many people as possible attend by telling them about Christ. The coherency of Scripture with the Feasts that point to Jesus is a great way to start that conversation.

UNDERSTAND

• The seven Jewish feasts point to Jesus’ first and second comings.
• Jesus fulfilled the feasts through His life, death, resurrection, and sending of the Holy Spirit.
• The Jewish feasts reveal God’s plan of salvation and the unity of His Word.

REFLECT

• How does understanding that Jesus fulfilled the Jewish feasts deepen your appreciation for His life, death, and resurrection?
• How can the symbolism of the feasts inspire you to live in greater obedience and trust in God?
• How does seeing God’s plan of salvation woven through the feasts strengthen your faith in His promises?

ENGAGE

• How do the spring feasts reveal Jesus’ first coming, and what lessons can we draw for our lives?
• How do the fall feasts point to Jesus’ second coming, and how should that shape our expectations as believers?
• How can the coherence of Scripture, shown through the feasts, help us explain the gospel to others?