1 Corinthians 5:6-8 The Scriptures 1998+
(6) Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the entire lump? (7) Therefore cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Passover was offered for us. (8) So then let us observe the festival, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
So, there are those we all know who still don't see the significance (let alone the expectation of YHVH) to observe His moedim (set apart times). So, here we are again ... just a couple of weeks away from the first of Yah's appointed times in this new biblical year...Pesach (Passover).
Clearly, Sha'ul (Paul) indicates in 1 Cor 5:6-8 that his expectation was that these new first century believers in Messiah would indeed observe the festival. It stands to reason that this same expectation would extend to us today as believers in the Messiah Yeshua. Here are some further thoughts and indications from the scriptures indicating the expectation for our continued observance of this festival and all of YHVH's moedim in general.
Come along for the ride...
Clearly, Sha'ul (Paul) indicates in 1 Cor 5:6-8 that his expectation was that these new first century believers in Messiah would indeed observe the festival. It stands to reason that this same expectation would extend to us today as believers in the Messiah Yeshua. Here are some further thoughts and indications from the scriptures indicating the expectation for our continued observance of this festival and all of YHVH's moedim in general.
Come along for the ride...
Observance of Pesach is a perpetually required observance
Exodus 12:42 The Scriptures 1998+
(42) It is a night to be observed unto YHVH for bringing them out of the land of Mitsrayim. This night is unto YHVH, to be observed by all the children of Yisra’el throughout their generations.
This is one of YHVH's appointed times and not one defined by mankind. How do you argue with YHVH stating that his people should observe His festival?
Leviticus 23:1-5 The Scriptures 1998+
(1) And YHVH spoke to Mosheh, saying, (2) “Speak to the children of Yisra’el, and say to them, ‘The appointed times of YHVH, which you are to proclaim as set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are these: (3) ‘Six days work is done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a set-apart gathering. You do no work, it is a Sabbath to YHVH in all your dwellings. (4) ‘These are the appointed times of YHVH, set-apart gatherings which you are to proclaim at their appointed times. (5) ‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, is the Passover to YHVH.
Pesach is mentioned between 45 and 50 times (depending on your translation) by name (Passover in English) in the Old Testament. However, this may not be convincing enough for some people. How about the fact that Yeshua observed Pesach?
Matthew 26:17-19 The Scriptures 1998+
(17) And on the first day of Unleavened Bread the taught ones came to Yeshua, saying to Him, “Where do You wish us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” (18) And He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is near. I am to observe the Passover at your house with My taught ones.” ’ ” (19) And the taught ones did as Yeshua had ordered them, and prepared the Passover.
Mark 14:12-16 The Scriptures 1998+
(12) And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they were slaughtering the Passover lamb, His taught ones said to Him, “Where do You wish us to go and prepare, for You to eat the Passover?” (13) And He sent out two of His taught ones and said to them, “Go into the city, and there a man bearing a jar of water shall meet you, follow him. (14) “And wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I am to eat the Passover with My taught ones?” ’ (15) “And he shall show you a large upper room, furnished, ready. Prepare for us there.” (16) And His taught ones went out and came into the city, and found it as He said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
Luke 2:40-42 The Scriptures 1998+
(40) And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom. And the favour of Elohim was upon Him. (41) And His parents went to Yerushalayim every year at the Festival of the Passover. (42) And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Yerushalayim according to the practice of the festival.
Well, just because Yeshua observed the Pesach doesn't mean we should....right? WRONG! Other than the fact that Yeshua is supposed to be our model for everything and that he explicitly stated we are to follow his commands (John 15:10), which are a reflection of The Father's commands, how about taking this opportunity to circle back to where we began.
1 Corinthians 5:6-8 The Scriptures 1998+
(6) Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the entire lump? (7) Therefore cleanse out the old leaven, so that you are a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Messiah our Passover was offered for us. (8) So then let us observe the festival, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Again, we note that Sha'ul had every expectation that Pesach was to be observed. But don't let that be the last word on this topic. While it would be easy to list dozens of examples of the festivals of YHVH from the Old Testament, many people consider that to be from a bygone era. So, how about considering the fact that many of YHVH's festivals are referenced or mentioned directly in the New Testament, thus demonstrating the consistent observance by Yeshua and our first century brethren.
Here is a non-exhaustive listing of some of the scriptures in the New Testament alone demonstrating the expectation to observe YHVH's set apart times. These reference YHVH's festivals explicitly or at least thematically.
Feast of Unleavened Bread
Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot)
Day of Atonement
Feast of Tabernacles
Shalom Aleichem!
The H.U.B.
Here is a non-exhaustive listing of some of the scriptures in the New Testament alone demonstrating the expectation to observe YHVH's set apart times. These reference YHVH's festivals explicitly or at least thematically.
Feast of Unleavened Bread
- Matthew 26:17
- Mark 14:12
- Luke 2:41-42, 22:1,7
- Acts 20:6
- 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot)
- Acts 2:1-21; 20:16
- 1 Corinthians 16:8
Day of Atonement
- Acts 27:9
Feast of Tabernacles
- John 7:1-2, 8, 10, 14
Shalom Aleichem!
The H.U.B.