CELEBRATING CHRIST – THE FIRST FRUITS

“But now is CHRIST risen from the dead, and become the FIRSTFRUITS of those who have fallen asleep” – 1 Corinthians 15:20

CELEBRATING CHRIST as THE FIRST FRUITS is of huge significance to Christians: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the FIRSTFRUITS of those who have fallen asleep” (v.20). The Feast of First fruits was first commanded in Leviticus 23:10-14, as being what the children of Israel were to observe when they came into the Promised Land: “Speak to the children of Israel, and say unto them, “When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest” (Lev. 23:10).

Every one of the feasts that God commanded was a shadow of promises to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ – rehearsals for the Real Deal that was to come. The feast of first fruits was no exception. Passover was fulfilled with Jesus being crucified as the Lamb of God. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled with Jesus being our unleavened bread (without sin) directly after Passover. And the Feast of First fruits was fulfilled by Jesus when He became the First fruits of the resurrection. God appointed this third feast day to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. As we shall see, Pentecost was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit came down on the disciples as tongues of fire (Acts 2).

It is beneficial to learn more about how this amazing feast applies to us as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the FIRSTFRUIT of the Resurrection: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the FIRSTFRUITS of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: CHRIST the FIRSTFRUITS; afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1Cor.15:20-23).

The Promised Land correlates to the Word of God – Jesus Christ. Israel was to celebrate the feast when God fulfilled His promise to give them the land flowing with milk and honey (Exo.3:17). This was a metaphor for the promised land of redemption. The ultimate Promised Land is the promise of resurrection after death. And Jesus fulfilled this promise when He resurrected from the dead three days after being crucified. Because He lives we now know that with God, the rest of the fruits (us) will come in during their time. So Christ is the firstfruits of the dead. The Feast of Firstfruits is a celebration of that promise that God has fulfilled (and will continue to fulfill with each one of us). Because of Jesus, the promise is validated as real and possible!

This feast also affirms that God claims the first fruits of everything. All belongs to Him, even before it is harvested! He has first claim on our lives. The feast of the first fruits is closely associated with the Passover and the Unleavened Bread. Although the Passover was instituted the night Israel left Egypt, it was not celebrated until forty years later in the Promised Land. Similarly, the feast of first fruits was not observed until the nation entered the Promised Land. It was a celebration of God’s provision in the land. For forty years they had eaten manna, the food of the wilderness journey. Now, it was time to celebrate the promise of abundant harvest in the land of liberty! The first fruits represented the whole harvest yet in the field. Men gave thanks for the harvest while it still stood in the field.

The Feast of Firstfruits holds great significance for Christians, as it symbolises the day that Christ rose from the dead, the Power of the Resurrection, and our Liberty in Christ! Jesus is the First fruits designated by God the father until the day when He shall come again to gather in His redeemed (1The.4:13-18). Meanwhile, in expectation of the ultimate, as guaranteed of the promise, we have received the down payment, the first fruits of the Holy Spirit (Rom.8:23). Our Lord lives! We live also!