The Radiant Mission Podcast | Episode 36
Host: Rebecca Twomey @theradiantmission
Co-Host: Rachel Smith @rachelsmithsmith
Thank you for listening to The Radiant Mission podcast! We are on a mission to encourage and inspire you on your walk with Christ and as you journey through life.
In Episode 36 we’re continuing the conversation on the Biblical Feasts for Christians with a focus on Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.
In This Episode on The Biblical Feasts for Christians: Shavuot (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost):
We discuss the final Shavuot, also known as the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.
As a reminder, there are seven Biblical feasts described in the Bible in what’s known as the Torah, which is the first 5 books of the Bible. Four of the feasts are in the Spring, and three are in the Fall.
The 7 feasts in the Bible:
- Pesach (The Passover) This is the foundational feast
- Unleavened Bread. This feast was to last for 7 days
- First Fruits
- Shavuot (Pentecost or Feast of Weeks)
- Rosh HaShanah (Feast of Trumpets)
- Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
- Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
- Purim
The 4th Biblical feast is Shavuot.
It is a true intertwinement of the Old and New Testament.
Shavuot occurs 50 days after the last feast, the Feast of First Fruits. Precisely 7 weeks later. The word Shavuot means weeks, and Pentecost means fifty.
Two significant points were made in Acts 2:1-4.
First, the early church, these new covenant Jewish believers, after the death, burial, resurrection and ascension of the Messiah, were continuing to observe the feasts together. That is why they were together when Pentecost had “fully come.” Meaning, on the 50th day.
Second, this day is when they received the Holy Spirit, fulfilling this final spring feast and Yeshua’s promise from John Chapter 14.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
He later in that chapter says, “Now I have told you before it happens, so that when it happens, you may believe.” So just imagine the disciples who were in that room receiving the Holy Spirit remembering Him speaking these words to them.
Connecting the Old Testament and New Testament.
A really profound connection of the Old Testament with the new in this feast and how truly there is no old and new. It’s all one story, Yahweh’s story.
For the traditional Jewish community Shavuot was first celebrated around the time of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. This occurred about 50 days after leaving Egypt. This is why they called Shavuot “the season of the giving of the Law.”
From Shavuot’s fulfillment in Acts we could call it “the season of the giving of the Spirit.”
On this day, we are given the Holy Spirit, the one who Yeshua said would teach us all things, just as the Law teaches us.
The Holy Spirit will always point us back to YHWH’s good and perfect Law and convict us in our transgressions of it and guide us in learning to keep it. How beautiful is that?!
There are actually a hundred little nuances comparing this Mount Sinai event of the giving of the Law to the Acts 2 event of the giving of the Holy Spirit. For example, the fire on the mountain just as the tongues appeared as fire and even the breakdown of the languages they were able to speak from the varying nations.
Why celebrate Shavuot as a Christian?
In Sam Nadler’s book, Messiah in the Feasts of Israel, he mentions in his chapter on Shavuot how YHWH called the people of Israel the Firstfruits. In Jeremiah 2:3, “He declares ‘Israel was holy to YHWH, the Firstfruits of His increase.’”
However now, the ultimate fulfillment of Shavuot Firstfruits are new covenant believers. When the Spirit of YHWH came upon them in Acts 2 He made them into His Firstfruits. We are still a part of the tree of Israel as grafted in believers in Messiah, and through Him WE fulfill Shavuot. So, why not celebrate that?
How can Christian’s celebrate Shavuot today?
Tradition is to bake two loaves of bread. And since we are no longer in the period of unleavened bread, you can use leaven.
Get together with your family and community, worship, enjoy a meal together. Continue to remember Christ. Perhaps someone from the community group will share a message.
Bible Verses Mentioned on The Biblical Feasts for Christians: Shavuot (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost):
- Leviticus 23:15-21
- Acts 2:1-4
- Acts 20:16
Resources Mentioned:
Subscribe to receive emails from The Radiant Mission
A Christian Guide to the Biblical Feasts by David Wilber
Messiah in the Feasts of Israel by Sam Nadler
119 Ministries
- Fellowship Finder à click here
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