The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

Can we believe the resurrection? The two disciples walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus had heard reports of Jesus’ resurrection. But were these reports true? Even today, we hear many things reported on, and some turn out to be false. We have learned to use discernment as we listen to the reported information.

Conflicting Reports

These two believers on the road to Emmaus had heard reports about the women who had gone to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. They said the grave was empty, and that angels had told them Jesus rose from the dead. Even Peter and John had checked the tomb and found it empty. But could Jesus have come back to life? That sounded too good to be true.

On the other hand, the chief priests said that the disciples had stolen the body of Jesus to perpetuate the story that Jesus Himself had told. After Jesus had fed the thousands, He spoke to His disciples. Mark 8: 31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later, he would rise from the dead[1]

Jesus predicted His death a second time after the transfiguration. Mark 9:31b“The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.”[2] 

Jesus predicted His death for the third time as they were heading to Jerusalem for the Passover. Mark 10: 33 “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. 34 They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”[3]

What to Believe?

The two disciples on the way to Emmaus weren’t part of the twelve disciples but were part of the larger group of Jesus’ followers. They knew Jesus was a prophet, but were discouraged because He had died but they had a choice. They could either believe the women’s report of the empty tomb earlier that day or find it unbelievable. It appears they chose the second option.

A.W. Tozer said, “The gospel is light, but only the Spirit can give sight.”[4] 

It is the Holy Spirit that can reveal the truth to us. John 16: 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard[5] When we have conflicting reports of “truth,” we can turn to the Holy Spirit and ask Him for the truth. He will reveal the truth and guide us in our daily lives in the spiritual realm.

Can we believe the resurrection? Click here to hear more:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-resurrection


[1-3, 5] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

[4] Barton, B. B., Veerman, D., Taylor, L. C., & Osborne, G. R. (1997). Luke (p. 561). Tyndale House Publishers.

As we do in the fall, Israel, too, celebrated a thanksgiving for the end of the harvest. The Festival of Tabernacles was the last of the Holy Days listed in Leviticus 23 and took place on the 15th of the Jewish seventh month. This would be in September or October on our calendar today. By this time, the people had harvested all the crops.

Prophecy of Celebrating the End of the Harvest

The Jewish people knew the schedule of God’s Festival days from Leviticus 23. These were to be celebrated through the ages. But there were prophecies that they would celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles in a new way when the Messiah ruled. Prophesies foretold a great celebration at the end of the harvest of souls.

Zechariah 14: 16 In the end, the enemies of Jerusalem who survive the plague will go up to Jerusalem each year to worship the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and to celebrate the Festival of Shelters[1] The work of Jesus on the cross would make this possible.

Jesus Gives Salvation to All Who Believe

Simeon made a prophecy over the baby Jesus. Luke 2:30 I have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared for all people. 32 He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”[2] Not only would Israel be able to be saved through faith in Jesus, but the Gentiles would also be gathered into the harvest of souls.

The question in the early church was “did a Gentile need to become a Jew before he could receive salvation?” Peter explained a council in Jerusalem. Acts 15:At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. [3]

Salvation for Believers

There will be a great harvest of souls at the end of the age because of what Jesus did on the cross. John tells us that even the martyrs in heaven will worship Jesus with palm branches. Revelations 7: After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands.[4] To hear more about the end of the harvest, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles


[1-4] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

As Jesus came to fulfill the Festival of Tabernacles, an elaborate schedule of sacrifices was simplified. The cross was the pivot point between the old and new covenants.

An Elaborate Sacrifice Schedule

The Festival of Tabernacles was an eight-day celebration. God gave an elaborate schedule of sacrifices for this Festival in Numbers 29. There, in 28 verses, there is a specific sacrifice for each day of the Festival. By the end of the celebration, 199 animals were sacrificed.

Sacrifice Simplified

Now, under the new covenant that Jesus brought, the sacrifice is simple. It is the blood of Jesus shed on the cross. Hebrews 9: 12 With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.[1]

Jesus Foreshadowed in the Sacrifice

God required blood to cover the sins of His people. While the Festival of Tabernacles was a joyful celebration of God’s presence and provision, sacrifices were still required. Now that Jesus has come, He is God with us and provides forgiveness for us.

Ephesians 1:God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear SonHe is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.[2]

To hear how an elaborate schedule of sacrifice was simplified, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles


[1-2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 

We have seen that the waving of palm branches was a tradition of the Festival of Tabernacles. Worshippers also recited Psalm 118 during the celebration. Some of the words from this Psalm 118 include: 25Please, Lord, please save us (Greek – Hosanna) 26Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.[1]

Jesus Enters Jerusalem to the Waving of Palm Branches

John 12: 12 The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors 13 took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hail to the King of Israel
!” [2]

Even though Jesus entered Jerusalem just before Passover, the people borrowed a custom from the fall Festival of Tabernacles. These people viewed Jesus as their Messiah King and believed He had come to deliver them from the Romans. Unless we understand the context of the Festival of Tabernacles, we don’t grasp the depth of what the people meant by their actions.

The people knew that the Messiah would raise the dead, and Jesus had just raised Lazarus (John 11). This was the talk of the town. John 12: 17 Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. 18 That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. [3]

The Pharisees’ Opposition Increased

So, as Jesus entered Jerusalem, the people honored Him as God in their midst. They were praising Him as the King of Israel. They saw Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s and the world’s hope. As a result, the Pharisees’ opposition grew, and they pushed back angrily. John 12: 19 Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone (the world) has gone after him!”[4]

The Pharisees had opposed Jesus before, but their plans had never worked because it was not God’s time. Now it was approaching Passover. It was God’s time as Jesus would die “as the lamb that takes away the sins of the world” on Passover.

Jesus was Immanuel, or God with us, and was the perfect sinless lamb that God sent to pay the price for our sins. He was, as the people of Jerusalem declared, the One who would save us. Only they had not anticipated what it would take to bring salvation to the world. But God knew and had set up a calendar that foretold what Jesus would do. Jesus would die on Passover, remove our sin during the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and rise on the Festival of First Fruits. Then the Holy Spirit would come on the Festival of Pentecost. God had a plan for our salvation that was put into place over 1400 years before Jesus was born! What a God we serve! To hear more about the waving of palm branches, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles


[1-4] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

Another Temple tradition that had developed during the Festival of Tabernacles was the Temple Lighting ceremony. God had not commanded this tradition, but it pointed to God as the source of light.

Giant Candles Lit the Temple

On the first day of the Festival of Tabernacles, the priests constructed three seventy-five-foot-high candles in the court of the Women at the Temple. This was an outer court where everyone could come, and it was also the place of the Treasury. These candles had several ladders on which the young priests would climb to the top to fill a reservoir with olive oil. The wicks were made from linen from the priests’ old garments. These candles would light all of Jerusalem.

These lights commemorated the glory of God that filled Solomon’s Temple at its dedication. 2 Chronicles 5: 14 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.[1] These giant lights also anticipated a time when God’s glory would return as Ezekiel predicted in 43:1-6.

Jesus’ Surprising Statement as the Lights are Extinguished

Jesus was standing and teaching near the treasury on the last day of the Festival of Tabernacles (John 8:20). After these candles were extinguished, Jesus made a surprising statement. John 8: 12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”[2]

The Pharisees, upon hearing this, immediately knew that Jesus had claimed to be the Messiah. They knew the prophecies of the Messiah. Isaiah 49: He says,“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.[3]

As 21st-century Christians, we miss this because we do not understand the Festival of Tabernacles and the context in which Jesus made this statement. Those who opposed Jesus wanted Him arrested, but it was not His time yet. (John 8:20)

Later that same day, Jesus reinforced His statement by healing a blind man. There, Jesus said in John 9: But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”[4] The light or salvation that Jesus offered would not light just the Temple as the candles but would light the whole world.

To hear how the Temple lighting ceremony points to Jesus, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles


[1-4]Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 

During the time of Jesus, the tradition of the water libation offering had developed. This was a tradition and not something God had commanded. Jesus used the occasion to announce His identity to the people.

Thanking God for Water During an Offering

The land of Israel has an arid climate, and rain is essential for crop growth. During the Festival of Tabernacles, a tradition had developed to ask God to provide rain for the next season. This tradition also pictured the spiritual need of humans to have their souls watered by God.

Each day of the Festival a priest would take a golden pitcher to the pool of Siloam. Worshippers followed the priest. They waved palm branches and chanted the Hallel Psalms, Psalm 113 -118. The priest would fill the pitcher with water at the pool, then return to the Temple with the worshippers. At the Temple, on the altar, the priest would pour out the water while praying for God to provide what only God could provide: sufficient rain.

Jesus adds to the Water Libation Offering

Jesus was a Jew and, as such, celebrated the Festival Days that God had given. Jesus was a controversial figure; some saw Him as the Messiah, while many doubted Him. By His third year of ministry, the Pharisees openly opposed Him. At this time, Jesus went to the Temple during the celebration of Tabernacles. There, amid controversy, He taught at the Temple. Many wondered if He was the Messiah.

On the last day of the Festival, when priest had poured the water on the altar, Jesus made a usual announcement. John 7: 37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.[1]

Only God could supply water, and now Jesus said He would provide water. If we understand Jesus’ statement in the context of the Festival of Tabernacles, He was announcing that He is the Messiah.

Division at Announcement

At this, many believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but the Pharisees sent the Temple guards to arrest Jesus. John 7: 45 When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

46 “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.

47 “Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked.[2] We can see that the water libation offering was an opportunity for Jesus to tell the crowd He was the Messiah, even though many still would not believe. To hear more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles


[1,2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 

When the people were in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, they had to depend on God for their provision. God provided food and water and didn’t let their clothes wear out. The Festival of Tabernacles also celebrates God’s provision in the past and the present, and looks forward to His provision in the future.

Remembering Their Dependence on God

During the eight days of the Festival of Tabernacles, the people would build three-sided structures of tree branches and camp in them. The people would pray, eat, and even sleep in these structures. These flimsy structures are known by many names: tabernacles, booths, shelters, and the Hebrew word Sukkot, which simply means “tabernacle.”

When the nation of Israel was in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, they also lived in flimsy structures or tents. They had to depend on God because there were no crops to harvest and often no water. God provided manna and water from rocks to feed His people.

When the people came into the promised land, they were able to grow crops and harvest them. But even here, they were still dependent on God to provide water and good weather. By the time of the Festival of Tabernacles, they had finished with all the harvest. They had harvested barley during the time of First Fruits. Then they harvested wheat at the time of Pentecost. Now, they harvested the last of the crops: olives and grapes. It was time to give thanks.

Our Salvation Depends on Jesus

Just as the Jews remembered their dependence on God during the Festival of Tabernacles, we remember that we are dependent on Jesus for our salvation. Ephesians 2: But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!… God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [1]

Any efforts we make to save ourselves are as flimsy as the structures in which people lived during the Festival of Tabernacles. God knows that, as sinful humans, we can’t save ourselves just like the Jews couldn’t feed themselves in the desert. But God is loving and gracious and takes care of the children, both physically and spiritually. He planned to send Jesus so that when we believe in Him, we can spend eternity with God.

To hear how to depend on God, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles


[1] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

The Festival of Tabernacles is the seventh festival listed in Leviticus 23 and celebrates God’s presence with His people. It was celebrated in the fall, five days after the Day of Atonement. It was a pilgrimage festival, meaning that, if possible, a devout Jew would travel to Jerusalem and the Temple to celebrate it.

God Demonstrated His Presence in the Wilderness

God visibly showed His presence with His people as He guided them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. Exodus 13: 21 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. 22 And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.[1]

After they left Egypt, God gave Moses instructions to build the Tabernacle. This tent was always to be in the center of the camp. When completed, it was a visible demonstration of God’s presence. Exodus 40: 34 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle[2]. Thus, the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night was now over the Tabernacle in the center of the camp.

The Festival of Tabernacles was a time to remember that God had done this. People would camp out in small structures made of branches to remember their time in the wilderness.

Jesus was God Present with His People

John presents Jesus as the Word who was present with God the Father from the beginning. Then he describes how Jesus became human and walked the earth. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.[3] Most Bible translations say the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. But the word used for ‘dwelt’ is actually the Greek word for ‘tabernacle’.

The reference to Jesus tabernacling with humans recalls God living in the Tabernacle during the wilderness journey. Just as God had shown His presence to the people through the pillar of fire and cloud, now Jesus was a visible presence of God here on earth. John 1: 17 That is, the law was given to us through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son is the one who has shown us what God is like. He is himself God and is very close to the Father. [4]

To hear more about God’s presence with His people, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festival-of-tabernacles


[1,2] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.

[3]Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.

[4] Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International

Atonement is the privilege of forgiveness. God gave the instructions for the Day of Atonement after Aaron’s sons died. The judgment of God killed them when they entered the Lord’s presence and burned the wrong kind of fire before Him. God is very serious about His instructions being followed. The privilege of forgiveness was God’s to give, not man’s right to get.

The Right Heart Attitude for Forgiveness

Leviticus 23: 26 Then the Lord said to Moses, 27 “Be careful to celebrate the Day of Atonement on the tenth day of that same month—nine days after the Festival of Trumpets. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the Lord. 28 Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the Lord your God.[1]

The Day of Atonement is the only festival where God requires fasting, a day to deny yourselves. They were also to do no work; the work on this day was the work of the Lord making them right with Him. The forgiveness the people received on the Day of Atonement was a gift of God.

This foreshadows that we are saved only through God’s grace and by faith. We cannot earn our salvation because of our character or good works. Ephesians 2: God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it[2]

Dealing with Sin is Important

On the Day of Atonement, God called His people to take sin seriously, and He still calls us to do the same today.

James 4:Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.[3]

Warren Wiersbe has a great quote: “Forgiveness and the fear of the Lord go together, for the privilege of forgiveness carries with it the obligation of commitment and obedience. Jesus offered Himself up to the Father in total obedience, and we cannot do less than follow His example.”[4]

To hear about the privilege of forgiveness, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1-3] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (p. 74). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

The old sacrificial system acted just like a credit card. When we charge a purchase, the credit card company covers the price until we pay the full bill. The Old Testament sacrificial system was temporary until Jesus came and gave us a permanent solution.

The Sacrificial System was Only Temporary

Paul explained why Jesus’ New Covenant could replace the Old Covenant. Galatians 3: 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.[1]

Paul uses the image of a guardian for an underage child for the old sacrificial system. Just as a guardian becomes outdated when the child becomes an adult, so too did the sacrificial system when Jesus paid the price for our sin.

A Modern Illustration of a Credit Card

A credit card can illustrate the relationship of the sacrificial system to the New Covenant of Jesus. A credit card is simply a piece of plastic, but it is accepted as cash. The credit card company covers the purchase price until the cardholder pays the bill at the end of the month.[2]

In this sense, the sacrifices under the Old Covenant covered the people’s sins and foreshadowed the day when Jesus would make full payment on the cross. Because Jesus has paid not only for all past sins but also for all future ones, there is no need for the sacrificial system today.

The New Covenant

Hebrews 9: 12 With his (Jesus’) own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.

13 Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. 14 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.[3]

To hear how the New Covenant of Jesus is just like a credit card, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-festivals-of-trumpets-day-of-atonement


[1,3] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

[2] Kevin Howard & Marvin Rosenthal, The Feasts of the Lord, Thomas Nelson Publishing, Nasheville, TN, 1997, p 131.