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TO CELEBRATE OR NOT
God is moving in and on the hearts of many Christians around the world, stirring a desire for a deeper understanding of the Old Testament and how it relates to the New Testament. A natural effect of this stirring is an increasing interest in God’s ordained feasts and their relevance in the lives of both Jewish and Gentile Christians today.
In the early years of my walk of faith, I was a bit confounded that there were no opportunities within the church to celebrate Jesus in the so-called Jewish holidays. I thought that celebrating the holidays seemed to perfectly combine my two cultures, Jewish and Christian.
I was wrong. The holidays are not about my Jewish or my Christian culture. They are God’s feasts and thus they transcend any one culture. Because they are fixed in God’s character, His acts, and His plan of redemption, they belong to the Kingdom.
Yet despite this truth, periodically the question, “To celebrate or not to celebrate?” arises causing controversy and division.
- AGAINST: Some contend that NO ONE, neither Jewish nor Gentile followers of Christ should celebrate the feasts. Using Paul’s comment to the Galatians (4:8-10) they challenge that because faith in Jesus frees us from the Law, we are now separated from everything related to Israel or things “Jewish.”
- FOR: Others contend that EVERY Christian, both Jew and Gentile MUST celebrate God’s feasts. They point to God’s commands to Israel that these feasts are to be celebrated for all generations. Further they claim that faith in Jesus transforms Gentiles into “spiritual Jews” and thus everything God said to Israel applies to them.
- Often these believers claim to be “Torah observant” which is evidenced by men wearing tsitsit (tassels, Numbers 15) and head coverings. Yet to be “Torah observant” today is impossible without the Temple! Furthermore, to find clothing today that is not a mixture of material would be quite a challenge. Surely these believers would not condone stoning for a rebellious son!
- This group seems to ignore Paul’s warning to the Romans against judging or condemning a brother for observing feast days. (14:6-10)
My position is central.
I contend that the feasts are God’s and that He takes great delight in every act of worship and celebration when focused on Him! Consequently when believers, both Jews and Gentiles celebrate Jesus in and through the holidays there can be great blessing AND unity.
Then the question changes to “How shall we celebrate?” Here is the real crux of the challenge.
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