Lesson for 2/14

Hey all, The Sunday School lesson comes from Leviticus 23: 15-22. Its titled "Festival of Weeks" To provide some insight, going back to verse 1 of Leviticus 23 -  "The Lord said to Moses,  “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies." - One thing I noted and enjoyed when researching the various festivals, was an underlining parallel that points to Christ. ^"16 Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord." As you read on you will see that the Isrealites were commanded to bring different items as offerings to God.  ^"Present with this bread seven male lambs, each a year old and without defect, one young bull and two rams. They will be a burnt offering to the Lord, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings—a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord. ¹⁹ Then sacrifice one male goat for a sin offering and two lambs, each a year old, for a fellowship offering. ²⁰ The priest is to wave the two lambs before the Lord as a wave offering, together with the bread of the firstfruits. They are a sacred offering to the Lord for the priest." 
These scriptures bring out the instruction and sacredness of what God wanted from His people. It was to remind them how He delivered them from captivity. To dive deeper and to see the parallel and prophesied meaning of this feast; back to verse 16 - "Count off 50 days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath" The Feast of Weeks is a symbolic festival which pointed to the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church.   Jesus, God's Son, after being crucified for our sins, arose from the grave on Firstfruits. (Which is the first agricultural produce of a season)  He then spent forty days with His disciples in post-resurrection ministry. Acts 1:3 says "After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God." When Jesus ascended in to Heaven, shortly after, (Scholars believe 10 days) -  the promised Holy Spirit came down and empowered the disciples! "40+10=50. "Count off 50 days (v.16)" - and in Acts 2:1-2 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." Its an amazing parallel, as we know, the Old Testament pointed to the coming of Jesus Christ.

Regardless of how you interpret the Festival of Weeks, aka Pentecost, we as Christians know and believe that Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice and offering. Through him, we are saved! May we continue to love, study and pray to show ourselves approved!

Thanks for reading,

God bless!