For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Co 5:6–9)
Through the years, we have heard people use some passages in the New Testament to argue that Christians should observe certain aspects of the Mosaic law. These interpretations have led to debates and different viewpoints within the Christian community. And the passage we are considering today is one of them. Some believers have argued that in this text, Paul commands the Corinthian community to “keep the Feast.” Specifically, the feasts related to Jewish ritual and worship. Here Paul does allude to the Feast of Passover.
The Feasts
The Jewish feasts, as described in the Old Testament, hold spiritual significance that is often understood and interpreted within a Christian context, especially in the New Testament. Here's a brief overview of the Jewish feasts:
· Passover (Pesach): This feast commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt.
· Unleavened Bread (Matzot): Celebrated immediately after Passover, this feast involves the removal of leaven from homes and eating unleavened bread.
· First fruits (Bikkurim): This feast marks the beginning of the barley harvest.
· Pentecost (Shavuot): Also known as the Feast of Weeks, it commemorates the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.
· Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah): This feast is associated with the blowing of trumpets and is considered a day of rest and remembrance.
· Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): This solemn day involves fasting and seeking forgiveness for sins.
· Tabernacles (Sukkot): This feast commemorates the Israelites' time in the wilderness and involves dwelling in temporary shelters.
What does the feast Represent in the New Testament
To understand what Paul means here in this text, we must first understand how the early Christians viewed the Old Testament after Christ died. Everything they saw in the Old Testament pointed to fulfillment in Christ. Interestingly, a Christ-centered view of the Old Testament scripture was predicated on Jesus' words.
You will recall Luke 24:25-27. On the road to Emmaus, after His resurrection, Jesus explains to two disciples how the Old Testament Scriptures pointed to Him:
"And he said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?' And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."
Luke 24:44-47: Later in the same chapter, Jesus speaks to His disciples, connecting His life, death, and resurrection to the fulfillment of the Scriptures:
"Then he said to them, 'These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.' Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and said to them, 'Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.'"
We must not forget John 5:39, where in discussion with the Jewish religious leaders, Jesus points out the purpose of the Scriptures and their connection to Him.
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness about me."
These passages highlight Jesus' teaching that He fulfills the Old Testament Scriptures and that the various elements of the Law, Prophets, and Psalms point to His life, death, and resurrection. So, we understand that these feasts were prophetically pointing to Christ. One way to understand the feast from the early church's perspective would be to emphasize the Anti type of feasts and their prophetic significance. For example:
Passover: In the New Testament, Jesus is often seen as the ultimate Passover Lamb whose sacrifice brings freedom from the slavery of sin. His death and resurrection are seen as the fulfillment of the Passover, symbolizing salvation through shedding His blood.
Unleavened Bread: In the New Testament, sometimes leaven in bread symbolizes sin and corruption, while unleavened bread represents purity. Jesus referred to Himself as the "bread of life," highlighting His sinlessness and role in providing spiritual nourishment.
First fruits: In the New Testament, the resurrection of Jesus is often linked to the concept of first fruits, representing His victory over death and the promise of a future resurrection for believers.
Pentecost: In the New Testament, the Day of Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples, empowering them for ministry and marking the beginning of the Church age. This event signifies the New Covenant written not on stone tablets but on the hearts of believers.
Trumpets: In the New Testament, the theme of the last trumpet is often connected with the future resurrection and the second coming of Christ.
Day of Atonement: In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ultimate High Priest who provides eternal atonement through His sacrificial death, granting believers access to God's presence.
Tabernacles: In the New Testament, the concept of "dwelling" is linked to the incarnation of Jesus (God dwelling among us) and the promise of the new heavens and new earth, where God will dwell with His people forever.
Therefore, let us keep the feast.
Getting back to our text, we would understand that when Paul says, "Therefore let us keep the feast," he is not specifically referring to Old Testament feasts or festivals. Instead, he is using figurative language to convey a spiritual concept. The phrase "keep the feast" metaphorically signifies embracing and living out certain spiritual qualities and attitudes.
In the context of the passage, Paul is addressing the issue of sin and immorality within the Corinthian church. He uses the imagery of leaven and unleavened bread, as mentioned earlier, to encourage the Corinthians to live lives of sincerity and truth, free from malice and wickedness.
The phrase "keep the feast" is a way of emphasizing the importance of adopting these positive qualities and attitudes in their lives as believers. It does not directly reference to observing specific Old Testament feasts or festivals. Instead, Paul is calling for a commitment to spiritual growth, righteousness, and living in harmony with the teachings of Christ.
In a broader sense, Paul often uses metaphors and symbolism to convey deeper spiritual truths and exhortations to the early Christian communities. So, in this case, "keeping the feast" means embracing a life of moral integrity, genuine faith, and truthfulness in the context of their Christian walk.
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