Beit Simcha: Spring Festivals

The spring festivals celebrate what God has already accomplished in the story of Israel and our Messiah. He commands us to celebrate every year, so we shouldn''t forget! Rather, when we remember what He has done, it builds up our faith in thankfulness.

At Pesach (Passover), we remember how God delivered us from slavery inEgypt. In our homes and sometimesgathering as a community, we gather for a Seder, where we observe thecommandment to eat matzoh (unleavened bread), maror (bitterherbs), and the Pesach lamb (Exodus 12:8). We say traditional blessings and sing joyfuland even silly songs. We also rememberthat Messiah gave a new meaning to Passover--for He was as pure as unleavenedbread, yet tasted the bitterness of our sins by becoming "the Lamb of Godwho takes away the sin of the world."

During the week-long Feast of Matzah, ancient Israel was to wave a first fruitsoffering of the winter barley (Leviticus 25:12) to the Lord. On this day of Bikkurim (Firstfruits),the third day after he had died and been laid in a tomb, "Messiah was raisedfrom the dead, the first fruits of those who have died" (1 Corinthians15:20). Our congregation gathers for aspecial celebration of our hope in the resurrection and our eternal life inMessiah.

Then,as Leviticus 23:16 commands, we "count the omer" for seven weeks until we reach Shavuot, which means Weeks. In Jewish tradition, based on Exodus 19,Shavuot is when God gave the Torah (specifically the Ten Words or Commandments)to Israel. In Messianic tradition, basedon Acts 2, Shavuot is when God poured our His Spirit upon 120 Jewish believersin Messiah, then three thousand more who witnessed what happened that day inthe Temple, and also turned from their sins and put their trust in MessiahYeshua. Our congregation gathers tocelebrate both the Torah and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), and seekthe Lord for more of these wonderful gifts.

Check our calendar to find out when the festivals will occur next and plan to join us! Contact us for details.