How Jesus Fulfilled the Meanings of the Jewish Feasts
The Jewish feasts were important celebrations in the life of the Israelite nation. God instituted these feasts as holy convocations, times when the people would gather together to worship Him and remember His goodness (Leviticus 23:1-44). While these feasts held great meaning for the Jewish people, they were also intended to point ahead to Jesus Christ and the salvation He would accomplish. Jesus fulfilled the meanings of the Jewish feasts in powerful and unexpected ways.
Passover
Passover was instituted by God to commemorate Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-28). On the night before their exodus, each Israelite household killed an unblemished lamb and spread its blood on the doorposts. When the angel of death passed through Egypt, he “passed over” the homes marked with blood, sparing the firstborn sons. Jesus fulfilled the meaning of Passover by becoming the perfect Passover Lamb. John the Baptist called Him “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Just as the blood of the Passover lamb caused death to “pass over,” Christ’s blood causes God’s judgment to pass over sinners who trust in Him.
Unleavened Bread
The Feast of Unleavened Bread was celebrated for seven days following Passover (Leviticus 23:6-8). The Israelites were to remove all leaven from their houses during this time. Leaven, or yeast, was symbolic of sin, corruption, and pride. Jesus fulfilled the feast of Unleavened Bread by living a sinless life. He was without moral, spiritual, or ethical “leaven.” His holiness qualifies Him to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. As the apostle Paul wrote, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Firstfruits
The Feast of Firstfruits involved presenting the first and best of the barley harvest to the Lord (Leviticus 23:9-14). It took place on the day after the Sabbath following Passover. Jesus rose from the dead on the Day of Firstfruits, becoming the “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). His resurrection guarantees the future resurrection of all who belong to Him. As Paul says, “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Weeks (Pentecost)
The fourth spring feast is called the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. It occurred 50 days after Firstfruits, when the wheat harvest was completed (Leviticus 23:15-22). On Pentecost, two leavened loaves of bread were offered to the Lord. These loaves, containing leaven, contrast with the unleavened bread required for the Passover feast. The two loaves point ahead to the church composed of both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 2:1-4). While believers still struggle with sin in this life, positionally they are holy and blameless through Christ. Jesus fulfilled this feast by pouring out the Holy Spirit on His church on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
Trumpets
The Feast of Trumpets took place on the first day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar (Leviticus 23:23-25). Trumpets were blown as a call to repentance and consecration. The trumpet blasts anticipate the future Day of Atonement and call God’s people to prepare their hearts. Jesus will fulfill the meaning of this feast when He returns to gather His people at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:52). The trumpet blast will signal Christ’s return, the resurrection, and the gathering of the saints.
Atonement
The Day of Atonement was Israel’s most solemn feast day (Leviticus 23:26-32). It was a day of national fasting and repentance. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place and sprinkled blood on the mercy seat to atone for his sins and the sins of the people. Jesus fulfilled the Day of Atonement by offering Himself as the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:11-14). While the animal sacrifices only temporarily covered sin, Christ’s blood “purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14). Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).
Tabernacles
The Feast of Tabernacles commemorated God’s faithfulness in providing for Israel during the wilderness wanderings (Leviticus 23:33-36; 39-43). The people lived in temporary shelters or booths for seven days. Jesus fulfilled this feast in two ways. First, He tabernacled among men during His earthly ministry (John 1:14). Second, the feast anticipates the future kingdom when Christ will tabernacle with His people forever. As Revelation 21:3 says, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”
The prophetic significance of the feasts points undeniably to Jesus. He is the suffering servant who became sin for us and bore God’s judgment. He is the risen Savior who grants new life to all who trust in Him. And He is the returning King who will gather His own and tabernacle with them for eternity. The meanings of the feasts find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Christ.
