Aviv-Nisan Moedim/Feasts (5778/2018)

The spring festival days are almost here as the Rosh Chodesh Aviv (New Moon Spring) that begins at sundown Aviv 1 arrives tonight.  The Rosh Chodesh Aviv signals the beginning of the spring feast days starting with Pesach (Passover), Chag Matzoth (Unleavened Bread), Bikkurim (Firstfruits), and ending with Shavuot (Feast of Weeks or Pentecost).  These appointed times, in addition to the fall high holy days of Yom Teruah (Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot (Tabernacles), and Shimeni Atzereth (Great Eighth Day) are the biblically appointed times for our observance. The Shimeni Atzereth or Great Eighth Day is the additional day that occurs at the end of the seven days of Sukkot for the LORD to dwell with His people for one extra day!

If Yahshua (Jesus) observed and made full and will continue to fulfill the meaning of these festival days appointed by Abba should we not observe them too? Is it disobedience to not observe these Elohim (G-d) ordained appointed times? In addition to Leviticus 23 which instructs the Israelites to observe Pesach, Sukkot, and Shavuot throughout all of our generations, Zechariah 14:16-21 indicates that Sukkot ushers in the Kingdom and will be observed by all nations. This understanding was exhibited by Peter, James, and John as they attempted to build three booths (tabernacles) for Yahshua, Moshe (Moses), and Eli-Yahu (Elijah) in Matthew 17:4. They had the right idea but it was not yet the appointed time to usher in the Kingdom – the Millennial Kingdom.

It’s been too long since the last time Yahshua sat down with me to have a conversation panim mul panim (face-to-face). I say this with all reverence before the LORD because as one matures in the faith one should require less rather than more personalized attention like going to the altar every week for the same problem or even a different problem. But sometimes even the mature need attention and the Lord has been gracious enough, like He always is, to stop-by for a bit of counseling and encouragement.

My son, why did you ask Me to come see you? “Lord You know all things. You know the end from the beginning. You understand my situation better than I do. I know your Word says that in his heart a man plans his course, but You order his footsteps. I never dreamed that my footsteps would lead me to multiple health and beauty spas where so much of my money would be spent on creams, facials, and spa stuff—something I’ve never considered as desirable for myself. I know you ordained this though because the owners of these spas have all been Israelis and most of the employees are Israeli too. You have a way of creating these types of connections and relationships where man would never consider such an arrangement. The interactions I have had with some four dozen Israelis in these spas over the past 5+ years are without comparison. But Lord, You know the frustrations, the disappointments, the deceptions, the setbacks, and not to mention the money!”

My son, how often have I told you ‘That’s where they are…’ “I know Lord, and I understand that the natural olive branches are the enemies of the Gospel for our sake, that is, for the benefit of the wild olive branches. Without them we would be relegated to nothing more than charismatic creampuffs and evangelical do-gooders who keep our noses clean, our shirt collars starched stiff, and hip hop around the altar while waiting for the Rapture Bus to whisk us away! I know that this line of thought is opposed in every point and particular to your Word that says, ‘…and they loved not their own lives even unto death.’”

My son, you can do what everyone else is doing or do what no one else is doing. It is a choice between the front side of the mountain and the backside. While I can be found on both sides, the backside reflects My true nature. The frontside has pacified My people into a hope that they might escape rather than endure the end of the last days. My people love to sing and reminisce about the Cross but are they willing to endure it?   If the understanding of the centrality of the Cross in an authentic appropriation is lost, then how can My people demonstrate Me when they meet the ‘Apple of my Eye’ in the wilderness of the nations panim mul panim? Therefore, I’ve placed you in those spas for a reason.

“Lord, this calling has brought me into a deeper understanding and appreciation of your heart for those who are your very own kinsmen despite their current disposition towards You. Still I don’t think what You have me doing jives with those who aspire to a more traditional Christian cultural context. You know what I’m exposed to every time I enter one of these establishments and the atmosphere that is exuded there. Why subject oneself to unwarranted criticism?” My son, they criticized Me for hanging-out at the local bars. They called Me a wine-bibber and a drunkard and those were the more complimentary names! Remember when I turned the water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee?   Those same critics went ballistic over that. But the wedding guests had the time of their life! Do you remember what those guests told the host after they tasted that wine? “You saved the best for last!”

Jeffrey, My son, if you will remember anything please remember this: I always save the best for last!

As Yahshua departed I heard words quietly coming from the Glory of His Presence. They sounded like a song that I remember from long ago…

Carry on my wayward son
For there’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond the illusion
I was soaring ever higher, but I flew too high
Though my eyes could see I still was a blind man
Though my mind could think I still was a mad man
I hear the voices when I’m dreamin’, I can hear them say…

Carry on my wayward son
For there’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely means that I don’t know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I’m like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune, but I hear the voices say…

Carry on my wayward son
For there’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

Carry on, you will always remember
Carry on, nothing equals the splendor
Now your life’s no longer empty
Surely heaven waits for you

Carry on my wayward son
For there’ll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don’t you cry no more

I’m looking forward to worship and fellowship with the saints at Omega Center International (OCI) in Cleveland, Tennessee for their regular services and prophetic summit. I am grateful to them and others for employing their spiritual gifts in such a way that makes the Church the Church. I’ve been invited by Rabbi Zevi of Chabad of Royal Palm Beach to spend Passover with their congregation. This year I think I will limit my wine consumption to only the four cups so that I might be able to attend both nights of the festival—hint hint.

Below is a schedule of the upcoming feast days that occur during the Hebrew calendar months of Aviv-Nisan and Sivan.  The schedule is in Hebrew with English translation.

Aviv-Nisan Moedim/Feasts

Aviv 1/March 16 – Rosh Chodesh Aviv (sundown)

Aviv 14/March 30 – Pesach/Passover (sundown)

Aviv 15/March 31 (sundown Full Moon) – Chag Matzoth/Unleavened Bread

Aviv 16/April 1 – Bikkurim/Firstfruits Omer Count Begins

Aviv 21/April 5 – Last Day Chag Matzoth/Unleavened Bread (sundown)

Sivan (3rd month)/May 19 – Day 6 Shavuot/Feast of Weeks (sundown)