How the Biblical Feasts Point to Jesus
The book of Leviticus describes a variety of biblical feasts and festivals. These feasts were more than ancient celebrations. They foreshadowed the restoration God’s people would one day find in Jesus.
Today, we’ll examine a list of biblical feasts and see how these feasts prepared the way for Christ and his healing work.
How the Biblical Feasts Point to Jesus
Every year, I prayerfully pick a name of God and focus on the name throughout the year. This year’s name is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals.
As we closely study the biblical feasts, we see God’s plan for healing within these festivals and celebrations.
God’s festivals were intended to help the people remember God’s faithfulness and care. Ultimately, Jesus became the fulfillment of the feasts by appropriating the healing they symbolized.
Let’s look at the biblical feasts and see how they relate with Jesus’ healing power.
The Biblical Feasts and Jesus’ Healing
The Biblical Feast of Passover: Healing From Condemnation
The Passover feast included sacrificing a lamb and spreading its blood over the doorway of the home. This feast reminded the people of God’s deliverance from Egypt.
Passover also typified Christ, who would become the perfect Lamb of God, dying to make atonement for all people.
Passover reminds us that we are not spared from God’s wrath because of anything we’ve done; we are spared because the blood of Jesus covers us.
For those who are in Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Healing begins when condemnation ends.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread: Healing From Hidden Sin and Impurity
Leaven symbolized sin spreading quietly.
In the same way that the unleavened bread contained no yeast, Jesus’ life was free from the corruption of sin.
When we bring Jesus our hidden sins and struggles, he doesn’t withdraw. He cleanses us. We don’t heal by pretending we are pure; we heal by turning to Jesus and asking him to wash our sins away.
The Feast of Firstfruits: Healing From Hopelessness
The biblical feast of Firstfruits was a sacrifice to God in which the people offered him the first of their harvest. This feast rested in the promise of God’s provision.
When Jesus rose from the grave, he was the Firstfruit of all who will one day rise from the grave and defeat the power of death with him. One day, Jesus will return. He will establish a new earth.
All followers of Jesus, dead and alive, will be given new, resurrected bodies. We have this confidence because Jesus made a way by going first.
When we feel hopeless in this life, we find healing by reminding ourselves that we have the hope of eternal life with Jesus.
The Feast of Pentecost: Healing From Powerlessness
Pentecost was also called the Feast of Weeks. This feast celebrated the wheat harvest and was later associated with the giving on the Law at Mount Sinai.
At Mount Sinai, God wrote the Law on stone tablets. Later, at Pentecost after the resurrection, the Holy Spirit was written on hearts.
Pentecost reminds us that God has not left us to ourselves. He has given us the Holy Spirit to help, guide, and heal us.
Pentecost reminds us that we don’t heal ourselves. Healing comes when we surrender to the Spirit and seek his healing.
The Biblical Feast of Trumpets: Healing From Complacency
The Feast of Trumpets is also known as Rosh Hashanah. This festival was marked by blowing trumpets, calling people to awaken and prepare.
Scripture links trumpets to Christ’s return (1 Thess. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15:52).
The trumpet blast is a call to repentance. It symbolizes awakening and announces the return of Christ.
This feast points to healing from complacency as we eagerly await Jesus’ return. God’s mercy calls us to wake up and turn to him in repentance. In this way, healing begins with a trumpet blast of realization.
The Day of Atonement: Healing From Shame and Guilt
Also known as Yom Kippur, this was the most solemn day of the year. The High Priest entered the Most Holy Place in the temple to atone for the sins of the people.
Two goats were used during this feast. One was sacrificed. The other, known as the scapegoat, was sent away bearing the sins of the people.
Jesus became the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement by becoming both the High Priest and the sacrifice. He bore the sin of all humanity, healing all who would receive him from shame, guilt, and sin.
Atonement is finished in Jesus. Healing includes letting go of what Jesus has already taken away from us: the sting and guilt of sin.
The Feast of Tabernacles: Healing From Loneliness
Also called Sukkot or the Festival of Shelters, this was a joyful feast remembering Israel’s wilderness journey when they lived in temporary shelters (also known as booths). This festival celebrated God being with his people.
Jesus fulfilled this symbolism because “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Revelation ends with, “The dwelling place of God is with man.”
This festival reminds us that God is with us always, even in our temporary earthly life. Healing deepens when we realize we were never alone.
Biblical Feasts and Restoration
As we reflect on these biblical feasts, a theme resounds. It is a story of restoration. Jesus came to restore and heal us. He is the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
Passover heals our past.
Unleavened bread cleanses us in the present.
Firstfruits restores our hope.
Pentecost empowers us in weakness.
Trumpets call us to repentance.
Atonement removes our guilt.
Tabernacles assure our belonging.
Jesus did not come only to forgive; he came to heal.
Jesus did not come only to forgive; he came to heal. #faith #healing #Jesus Share on X
If these reflections on the biblical feasts blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotional books and library of free devotionals and eBooks below. May you experience deeper healing in Jesus today and beyond.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
A Free Devotional to Help You Apply the Old Testament to Your Life Today
Do you want to learn how to read the Old Testament and apply it to the challenges you face in your everyday life? In 30 devotions, my free devotional eBook, Timeless, will help you grow in God’s Word while applying it to your life.
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