Open Letter To The Church

In March of 2006 I began attending a Messianic Fellowship, a church where Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, worship on Saturday (Exodus 20:8-11) and follow the Feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23) as part of the yearly cycle of worship.

After worshiping on Sunday for 9 years, at first, worshiping on Saturday and having Sunday free was a little unusual to me. Then it became a delight, knowing my life was lining up even more with the Scriptures and I was worshiping God as Yeshua Himself would have done.

As the biblical year began, we celebrated the Feast of Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits. They commemorate God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt into the “promised land.” It was so beautiful to see how these ancient Jewish Holy Days all pointed to the redemptive career of Messiah and, in fact, within each one we can prophetically see Yeshua’s death, burial and resurrection. Then came Shavuot, or the Feast of Weeks. On Shavuot the Law was given to Israel at Mount Sinai . Centuries later, on the same festival day, the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) was given to Believers in Messiah (Acts 2:1-4.)

These were the spring feasts, each of which the Lord fulfilled at His first coming. My experience and understanding of the Messiah deepened and richened as a result of studying and participating in the Jewish customs related to each of these feasts. Not only that, but deep in my spirit there was unexplainable joy as the holy days were set apart and ancient customs observed.

The next set of feasts that we went through were the fall feasts, which will be fulfilled at the Lord’s 2 nd coming. Yom Truah (the day of blowing trumpets) is on the first day of the seventh month and it’s a time for introspection and repentance. Prophetically many believe that it foreshadows the coming “Day of the Lord.” Then ten days later comes the somber Day of Atonement which may foreshadow God’s judgment of humanity. Finally the seventh holiday is the joyous celebration of the autumn harvest festival, the Feast of Tabernacles. This reminds us of the beautiful day when the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach will Himself will tabernacle among us. (Rev. 21:3-4)

Now I can’t help but wonder why the church as a whole doesn’t embrace and celebrate these feasts, as commanded in scripture. No, our salvation isn’t dependent upon our celebration of these feasts. But in them, is such a beautiful reminder of what God has accomplished and intends to accomplish through the Messiah, the Savior of mankind. And, they are a beautiful celebration of biblical worship.

I can’t wait to celebrate the holy days again next year, when I know the Lord will illuminate even more truth and understanding to me, as I continue to walk my life in faith, and in pursuit of His Kingdom.

Ronna
October 2006