God’s Calendar and Jesus: Why the Feasts Still Matter

Whose Calendar Do You Live By?

We all follow a calendar. School, sports, holidays—our lives are shaped by dates. But did you know God has His own calendar?

In the Bible, He calls them mo’edim—His appointed times (Leviticus 23:2). They are not just “Jewish holidays.” They are God’s days. Days to meet with Him. Days that tell His story.

And here’s the surprise: every one of these days points to Jesus.

Jesus in the Feasts

God’s feasts are like a giant timeline of salvation.

• Passover → Jesus, the Lamb of God, gave His life for us (John 1:29).

• Unleavened Bread → His sinless body was buried.

• Firstfruits → He rose from the dead, the first of many (1 Cor. 15:20).

• Pentecost (Shavuot) → The Spirit was poured out (Acts 2).

And the fall feasts point ahead to what’s still coming:

• Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) → The trumpet will sound when Jesus returns (1 Thess. 4:16).

• Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) → Final judgment and cleansing.

• Tabernacles (Sukkot) → God will live with His people forever (Rev. 21:3).

  
  

👉 The feasts are not random. They are the gospel in God’s calendar.

The Opening of the Books

Rosh Hashanah carries a powerful picture: the books are opened.

• Daniel saw it: “The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:10).

• John saw it too: “And I saw the dead… and books were opened” (Revelation 20:12).

The books are a record of our lives. Nothing is hidden.

But here’s the good news: God doesn’t wait until the end to open them. He exposes us now, in love, so we can repent now.

Paul wrote, “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Don’t wait for final judgment to face your sins. Today is the day to deal with them.

Why Repent Now?

Some Christians think: “Jesus’ blood wiped it all away, so why repent?”

Yes—His blood forgives us once and for all. But repentance keeps us disciplined and walking in that forgiveness.

• Isn't discipleship about discipline?

• Or are we just making it up as we go, hoping we get it right?

• If we wait, we carry a lifetime of sins, regrets, and damage to others.

• If we repent daily, the record is cleared daily. We live light, free, and honest before God.

Repentance is not about fear. It’s about freedom.

Kingdom Impact Here and Now

Repentance isn’t just about me. It blesses the people around me.

• When I repent of anger, my family feels peace.

• When I repent of selfishness, my church sees love.

• When I repent of pride, my witness shines brighter.

If I ignore sin, I carry it into my relationships. If I repent, others taste the Kingdom of God through me.

This is why the feasts matter. They remind us to pause, reflect, repent, and live ready.

Why Did the Church Forget God’s Calendar?

History shows us:

• The early church separated from Jewish practice after AD 70.

• By AD 325, Easter was cut away from Passover.

• Over time, God’s feasts were replaced with other holidays.

But in losing them, the church lost the rhythm and practice of repentance, readiness, and God’s story of salvation.

Why Reclaim Them?

• They belong to God (Leviticus 23:2).

• They point to Jesus (Matthew 5:17).

• They shape us in holiness—training us to live ready.

• They connect us to Israel, the root of our faith (Romans 11:17).

How Can We Celebrate? (Simple Ideas)

• Passover: Celebrate Jesus as the Lamb.

• Shavuot (Pentecost): Pray for a fresh filling of the Spirit.

• Rosh Hashanah (Trumpets): Hear the shofar, reflect on the “books,” repent today.

• Yom Kippur (Atonement): Fast, confess, rejoice in Jesus’ sacrifice.

• Sukkot (Tabernacles): Celebrate God’s presence—eat outdoors, worship with joy.

Not to earn salvation. Not to add burdens. But to live God’s story with Jesus at the center.

Living Ready

When the trumpet sounds and the books are opened, will you be ready?

Jesus said, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35).

Rosh Hashanah reminds us: don’t wait until the end. Repent today. Live light. Live free. Live ready.

The feasts are not just shadows of the past. They are bright signposts pointing us to Jesus—what He has done, what He is doing, and what He will do.

Time belongs to the Lord. Let’s live by His calendar. (Leviticus 23)