Prophetic Fulfillment of Easter: Christ in the Feasts

Devotional

Day 1: Christ Fulfills the Passover as the Perfect Lamb

The Passover feast was instituted as a remembrance of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, requiring the blood of a spotless lamb to be applied to the doorposts so that death would pass over the household. In the same way, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the very day the Passover lambs were brought in, was inspected and found without fault, and was crucified at the exact hour the Passover lambs were slain. His blood, when applied to our lives by faith, delivers us from the bondage of sin and death, fulfilling the prophetic picture of the Passover to the very day and hour. [46:26]

Leviticus 23:4-8 (ESV)
“These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. But you shall present a food offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.”

Reflection: In what specific way can you remember and thank Jesus today for being your Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice delivers you from sin and death?

Day 2: Removing the Leaven—A Call to Purity

The Feast of Unleavened Bread required the Israelites to remove all leaven from their homes, symbolizing the removal of sin from their lives. In the New Testament, leaven is used as a metaphor for sin and corrupting influences, and believers are urged to purge out the old leaven and become a new, pure lump in Christ. This call to spiritual cleansing is not about our own efforts, but about trusting in the finished work of Jesus, who was broken for us and who alone can make us righteous and pure before God. [49:12]

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (ESV)
“Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense the “old leaven” of sin or harmful influence lingering, and how can you invite Jesus to cleanse it today?

Day 3: Christ’s Burial—Our Sin Buried with Him

As the Passover meal concluded and the Feast of Unleavened Bread began, Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb, wrapped in linen, just as the afikomen (the broken piece of unleavened bread) was hidden away. This powerful symbol shows that Jesus took our sins upon Himself, buried them with Him, and left them behind, never to be remembered again. We are called to rest in His finished work, knowing that our salvation is not by our own efforts, but by trusting in what He has accomplished for us. [55:20]

Isaiah 53:5-6 (ESV)
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Reflection: Is there a sin or regret you keep holding onto that Jesus has already buried? How can you rest in His forgiveness and let it go today?

Day 4: Christ the Firstfruits—The Promise of Resurrection

The Feast of Firstfruits was celebrated on the Sunday after Passover, when the first sheaf of the harvest was waved before the Lord as a sign of gratitude and faith for the harvest to come. Jesus rose from the dead on this very day, becoming the “firstfruits” of those who will be raised to eternal life. His resurrection is not only proof of His victory over death, but also a guarantee that all who belong to Him will one day be raised as well, giving us hope and confidence for the future. [59:03]

1 Corinthians 15:20-23 (ESV)
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.”

Reflection: How does knowing that Christ’s resurrection guarantees your own resurrection change the way you face challenges or fears today?

Day 5: Living in the Victory of Christ’s Resurrection

Because Jesus is the firstfruits of the resurrection, we have the assurance that death has been swallowed up in victory and that our labor for the Lord is not in vain. This hope calls us to steadfastness, to be unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our future is secure in Him. The resurrection is not just a past event, but a present reality that empowers us to live with purpose, courage, and joy as we await the day when we will be changed and be with Him forever. [01:01:33]

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (ESV)
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

Reflection: What is one way you can abound in the work of the Lord today, living in the confidence of Christ’s victory over death?

Sermon Summary

Today’s Easter gathering explored the profound connections between the Old Testament feasts given to Israel and the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By looking closely at Leviticus 23, we see that the feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits—are not just ancient rituals, but prophetic pictures fulfilled in Christ with remarkable precision. The Passover, instituted as a remembrance of God’s deliverance from Egypt, required a spotless lamb whose blood would protect the Israelites from judgment. In the same way, Jesus entered Jerusalem on the very day the Passover lambs were brought in, was inspected and found without fault, and was crucified at the exact hour the lambs were slain, fulfilling the Passover to the very moment.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, which began immediately after Passover, called for the removal of all leaven—a symbol of sin—from the homes of Israel. This pointed to the sinless nature of Christ and His work of removing sin from our lives. The unleavened bread, or matzah, used in the feast, is pierced and striped, echoing Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be wounded and pierced for our transgressions. The Jewish tradition of breaking the middle piece of matzah, wrapping it in linen, and hiding it, beautifully foreshadows Christ’s body broken, buried, and then revealed again in resurrection.

The Feast of Firstfruits, always celebrated on the Sunday after Passover, was a time to offer the first of the harvest to God in faith for the greater harvest to come. Jesus rose from the dead on this very day, becoming the “firstfruits” of those who will be raised to eternal life. Just as the Israelites trusted God for provision, we trust in Christ’s resurrection as the guarantee of our own. The fulfillment of these feasts in Christ is not only a testimony to the reliability and inspiration of Scripture, but also a call to rest in the finished work of Jesus, who did all that was necessary for our salvation. As we celebrate the resurrection, we do so with the assurance that, because Christ is risen, we too will be raised with Him in victory.

Key Takeaways

1. The Old Testament feasts are not arbitrary rituals, but divinely orchestrated prophetic pictures that find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. The exact timing and details of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits reveal God’s sovereign plan and the reliability of His Word. This should deepen our confidence in Scripture and in the God who orchestrates history with such precision. [35:49]
2. The Passover lamb, chosen, inspected, and sacrificed without blemish, points directly to Christ’s sinless life and sacrificial death. Jesus was examined by religious and political authorities and found faultless, then crucified at the very hour the Passover lambs were slain. His blood, like the lamb’s, is our only protection from judgment, and must be personally applied by faith. [46:26]
3. The Feast of Unleavened Bread teaches us about the necessity of removing sin from our lives. Leaven, as a symbol of sin, was to be purged completely, just as Christ’s sacrifice purges us from sin. The matzah’s stripes and piercings, and the breaking and hiding of the middle piece, remind us that Jesus was wounded, broken, buried, and raised for our justification, and that our righteousness is found in Him alone. [49:12]
4. The Feast of Firstfruits is a celebration of resurrection and hope. Jesus rose on the very day of Firstfruits, becoming the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to eternal life. Our faith is not in a vague hope, but in the historical reality of Christ’s resurrection, which guarantees our own future resurrection and victory over death. [58:08]
5. Salvation is entirely the work of Christ; we cannot add to it by our own efforts. Just as no work was to be done on the Sabbath of Unleavened Bread, so we are called to rest in the finished work of Jesus. Our response is not to strive for acceptance, but to trust, abide, and live in gratitude for the victory He has won, knowing our labor in the Lord is not in vain. [56:58]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Prayer for Kirk and Announcements
[04:30] - Upcoming Events and YouTube Update
[07:55] - Israel Film Introduction
[09:30] - Offering and Prayer
[13:01] - Reading Leviticus 23: The Feasts of the Lord
[24:39] - The Spring Feasts Explained
[32:23] - Reconciling Gospel Timelines
[35:49] - Prophetic Fulfillment of the Feasts
[39:39] - The Passover Lamb and Jesus
[41:01] - The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Symbolism and Application
[44:05] - The Feast of Firstfruits and Resurrection
[46:26] - Jesus as the Passover Lamb
[49:12] - The Unleavened Bread and Christ’s Sacrifice
[54:18] - The Afikomen and Resurrection Symbolism
[56:58] - Resting in Christ’s Finished Work
[58:08] - Firstfruits and the Hope of Resurrection
[61:33] - The Promise of Our Resurrection
[64:07] - Closing Prayer and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Leviticus 23, what are the three spring feasts God gave to Israel, and what are some of the key instructions for each?
In 1 Corinthians 5:7, what does Paul mean when he says, “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us”?
How does 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 describe Jesus’ resurrection in relation to the Feast of Firstfruits?
The sermon described how Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection lined up with the timing of the feasts. What are some specific ways Jesus fulfilled the details of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits? [[35:49]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon said the feasts are “prophetic pictures” fulfilled in Christ. Why do you think God chose to use these feasts as a way to point to Jesus? What does this say about God’s character and His plan? [[35:49]]
The Passover lamb had to be spotless and its blood applied to the doorposts for protection. How does this Old Testament picture help us understand what it means to trust in Jesus for salvation? [[39:39]]
The Feast of Unleavened Bread required the removal of all leaven (symbolizing sin). What does this teach us about the seriousness of sin and the work Jesus did for us? [[42:26]]
The Feast of Firstfruits was a celebration of the first part of the harvest, given in faith for more to come. How does Jesus’ resurrection as the “firstfruits” give us hope for our own future? [[58:08]]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that the feasts show God’s precise timing and faithfulness. Is there an area in your life where you struggle to trust God’s timing? How can remembering His faithfulness in history help you trust Him now? [[35:49]]
The Israelites had to personally apply the lamb’s blood to their doorposts. In what ways have you personally responded to Jesus’ sacrifice? Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about this personal response? [[39:39]]
The removal of leaven during Unleavened Bread was a picture of removing sin. Is there a “leaven” (sin or habit) in your life that God is prompting you to address? What practical step can you take this week to “sweep it out”? [[42:26]]
The matzah bread is pierced and striped, reminding us of Jesus’ suffering. How does reflecting on the cost of your forgiveness affect your gratitude and daily walk with Christ? [[49:12]]
The tradition of breaking, wrapping, and hiding the middle piece of matzah (afikomen) points to Jesus’ burial and resurrection. How can you make the resurrection more central in your daily life, not just at Easter? [[54:18]]
The sermon said salvation is entirely the work of Christ, and we are called to rest in His finished work. Are you tempted to “add” to what Jesus has done by striving for acceptance? What would it look like for you to rest in Christ this week? [[56:58]]
Jesus’ resurrection as the “firstfruits” guarantees our own. How does this hope change the way you face challenges, grief, or even death? Is there a specific situation where you need to remember this hope? [[58:08]]

Sermon Clips

We're going to look at how the Spring Feast of the Lord is given to Israel in the Old Testament, where pictures of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. These were different feasts that the Jews would observe every year, and they happen to be prophetic pictures of Christ. These weren't simply imaginary pictures either. As we see, Jesus literally fulfills the Spring Feast on the exact days of each feast. The Passover Feast, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. [00:35:48] (34 seconds) Edit Clip

And we see that God is not, a physical being, but a spiritual being, and then he did manifest himself, in the flesh, in the physical, but we see that there's, the spiritual, is eternal, and it's God's word, is spiritual, and eternal, we see these truths from the feast, the Passover, quite simply, Jesus is our Passover, he perfectly fulfilled, the picture of the Passover lamb, without spot or blemish, we see him coming into Jerusalem, on the 10th day of the month, Palm Sunday, God's lamb, and he would be inspected over those next four days. And not one of them would find any fault. [00:45:46] (45 seconds) Edit Clip

He was questioned about his allegiance to the Romans. He was questioned about his messianic credentials. He had his authority questioned. He was repeated, tried to be trapped by his own words. But every time they failed. Matthew 26, 59 says, Now the chief priests and elders and all the council sought false witness against Jesus to put him to death, but found none. Yea, though many false witnesses came, yet founding none, it to last came two false witnesses. On the 14th day of the third hour, 9 a .m. in the morning, our time, he has hung on the cross. It was the beginning of the morning sacrifice when the lamb would typically be tied to the horns of the altar. [00:46:28] (56 seconds) Edit Clip

This was the exact moment when Jesus was assigned to the cross. For six hours, he suffered agony. After three of the hours, it turned into outer darkness. We see at the night hour, or 3 p .m., on the day of preparation, Jesus gave up the ghost, dying for us. This was the exact moment when all the Passover lambs, 3 p .m., would have their throats slipped. Jesus gave up the ghost at that moment. Jesus fulfilled the Passover to the day, to the hour, to the moment. Isaiah 53 predicted that Christ would come as a lamb to be slaughtered. [00:47:20] (61 seconds) Edit Clip

John the Baptist introduced him as the lamb that would be slain. That in the eyes of God, before even the foundation of the world, God had this plan, that he would be slain to take away the sins of the world. [00:48:29] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

It's at this moment after the supper when Jesus took it his thought. Broke into smaller pieces and said this is my body which is broken for you. Eat this in remembrance of me. On the day of preparation God had prepared our lamb. His son for us. And Jesus had shed his blood to wash us from our sin. And if you believe Jesus Christ is your savior. His blood is applied to your life. Just as in Israel they had to apply the blood to the door post. But spiritually we need the blood of Christ applied to our life. He was placed in the tomb. Jesus was just before the Feast of Unleavened Bread for this was the High Sabbath no servile work was to be done. Jesus took our sins upon himself buried our sins with him never to be remembered again. And because of this we who were made sinners were made righteous. [00:55:27] (61 seconds) Edit Clip

And then God says in 1 Corinthians 15 -20 But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of them that slept for since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead for as in Adam all died even so in Christ shall all be made alive but every man in his own order Christ the firstfruits afterward they that are Christ at his coming We have the firstfruits of the barley harvest and the lamb being sacrificed the lamb who would die and the lamb is being sacrificed the barley sheaf is being waved before the Lord thanking him for his provision and by faith trusting in the great harvest of fall that is the day Christ resurrected a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment a letter of fulfillment [01:00:16] (52 seconds) Edit Clip

We celebrate Christ's Resurrection. As priests of God, we wave in celebration the firstfruit of the harvest not just because Jesus rose, but because we are confident that in a great harvest of the souls, the redeemed will follow. 1 Corinthians 15, 51, and we'll close with this. 1 Corinthians 15, 51, Behold, I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkle end of an eye, in the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that it is written, Death is followed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [01:01:56] (66 seconds) Edit Clip

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