Seven reasons to teach our children about the Biblical feasts
1. Passover and the other feasts are not Jewish holidays. They are God’s appointed seasons. In Leviticus 23 God established the feasts, and He called them “My feasts.” They are God’s invitation to an intimate dinner with Him. The feasts were meant to be a preview of the wedding supper of the Lamb. And we are invited!
2. Learning about the Biblical feasts gives our children a greater understanding of the Bible and God’s redemptive plan because the feasts foreshadow the life and ministry of Jesus the Messiah.
3. Jesus and the New Testament believers celebrated the feasts; He is our example in all things. What we call “The Last Supper” was actually a Passover Sedar that Jesus hosted for His disciples.
4. Our children need to know that Jesus fulfilled each of the spring feasts at His first coming. Jesus is the Passover Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus rose from the grave on the Feast of Firstfruits making Him the firstfruit of the promised resurrection of all believers (John 5:28-29; 1Cor. 15:20-23). Jesus baptized us with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
5. Jesus told His disciples to be waiting and watching for His return. Studying the fall feasts will help us in that since they reveal the second coming of Messiah Jesus.
6. God said some of the feasts are a statute forever (Lev. 23). That means we will be celebrating them in heaven. Let’s not wait until we get to heaven to learn about our spiritual inheritance.
7. Educating our children will instill in them a love and respect for the Jewish people and the spiritual heritage they have carried for thousands of years. The feasts are an opportunity for our children to taste a see that the Lord is good.
Resources:
1. Booker, Dr. Richard, Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts, Destiny Image Publishers, 2009.
2. Sampson, Robin and Julie Pierce, A Family Guide to Biblical Holidays with Activities for All Ages, Heart of Wisdom Publishing, 2006.
3. Shannon, Jill, A Prophetic Calendar: The Feasts of Israel, Destiny Image Publishers, 2009.