No excuse
I would like to pose this
question to everyone who profess to be believers in Jesus Christ; Is there a
logical, sensible, specific reason why the festivals of the Lord are not being
commemorated when the Lord Himself who is the same yesterday, today and forever
spoke to Moses saying; “These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations
which you shall proclaim at their appointed times” (Leviticus
23:4).
Regardless of what reasons one
may come up with, I would like us to first and foremost consider the Lord’s
festivals as our yearly holidays such as, discovery day, independence,
emancipation day etc. a day which is observed to commemorate and perpetuate a
specific event which transpired in the lives and history of man.
This year’s celebration of
emancipation day and the plans for the future expansion and development of this
event should serve as a catalyst to all who profess to be believers in Jesus
Christ to consider why the festivals of the Lord should be commemorated as we
have been duly admonished saying; “For since the creation of the world His
invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans
1:20).
When one considers and takes into
account the rationale and objective for commemorating such events and occasions
it is evident that the rationale for observing and celebrating these events and
activities is an expression of gratitude and thanksgiving to those by whom the
occasion came to fruition and as a perpetuation for future generations.
This is exactly the rationale and
objective for observing the Lord’s festivals, it is to express one’s gratitude
and thanksgiving to God for what He did for humanity on these specific days and
perpetuating it for future generations: For example:
- The
seventh day Sabbath, a day to express one’s gratitude for His creation,
for on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested
on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed
the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His
work which God had created and made.” In addition to that we are asked to;
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” And the reason is to
commemorate the creation of the world.
- Passover:
This day is to commemorate and express one’s gratitude to the Lord for
paying the price of sin in our stead.
- Seven
Days of Unleavened Bread: Seven denotes completion and this event is to
express one’s gratitude to the Lord for delivering us from sin and to be
observed as a commemoration and perpetuation for future generations.
- Feast
of first-fruits: This is the Sunday which falls during the seven days of
Unleavened Bread, on this day one expresses his/her gratitude to the Lord
for giving us a new life in the spirit, the day He presented Himself to
the Father after His resurrection from the dead.
- Feast
of Pentecost: Fifty days after the feast of first fruits, a day to
commemorate and express one’s gratitude for the arrival of the Holy Spirit
who is our Helper, Teacher, Guide etc.
- Feast
of Trumpets: The rationale for this festival is precisely as the Lord
stated; “a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.” A time to
sound the alarm and warn the nations of impending danger and also of the
upcoming festivals.
- Day of Atonement: This day commemorates Jesús Christ as our faithful and merciful High Priest who makes intercessions and atonement for our sins.
- The
Feast of Tabernacles: This festival commemorates the arrival of the King
of kings and Lord of lords, the day the Word became flesh and tabernacle among
us and we beheld His glory the glory as of the only begotten of the
Father, full of grace and truth. This festival also foreshadows the millennial
reign of Jesus Christ on earth.
- The
Eighth Day: This day commemorates the circumcision of our Lord and Savior,
the day the Father highly exalted Him and gave Him the name which is above
every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in
heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.” It also
commemorates the circumcision of the Gentiles by which they became joint
citizens of the commonwealth of Israel. This day also foreshadows
eternity.
I therefore beg to ask the question,
why are these festivals not being celebrated even by those who professed to be
believers in Jesus Christ? Are they not worth commemorating and perpetuated
like our national holidays, anniversaries etc.? God has overlooked these times
of ignorance and now commands all men everywhere to repent.
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With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph
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