ROOTS

None would argue that Christians - as individuals and a whole, myself included - have committed countless atrocious sins against humanity, each other, and the very One we call Messiah.  We profane the name of God (if that were even possible - certainly His holiness is not muddied by our unholiness), justify our actions and are such products of our culture that we unknowingly play "pick and choose" among the Scriptures.  I can cast no stones, but am mournful of our/my condition. 

Nevertheless, the Spirit of God is not confined by our tremendous ignorance and/or hardness, and by His own faithfulness is stirring up & awakening people to a sober understanding - much like the correcting & invitation in Revelation 3 "But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent." 

Sometime ago, in 325 A.D., a group of diligent men counciled together under the direction of Emporer Constantine to make some heavily important & deeply impacting interpretations of Scripture.  While I won't purpose here to grade their efforts, because my knowledge is sorely lacking on the whole of their accomplishments, I've come to understand - to mourn - the concensus that Christianity could be indepent from our Jewish roots.  Casting off the very calendar that God established as His own - "These are my feasts" - "These are the feasts of the Lord" (Leviticus 23), and pride-filled "replacement theology" are a couple of decisions that were unknowingly (until about two years ago) made FOR ME. 

I'm am HUNGRY to have BACK these things that Christ has given to me.  The calendar is God's and it remains in motion.  The feasts are NOT things only of the Old Testament, but rather actual appointments that Christ is the ultimate Keeper of.  He has already fulfilled the first four spring feasts - on the VERY DAY that God commanded they be celebrated (Passover = Christ's death, Unleavened Bread = His sinless body buried, First Fruits - Christ's resurrection from the dead, Pentecost = Gift of the Holy Spirit) and we await His ultimate fulfillment of the final three fall feasts (Trumpets, Day of Atonement & Tabernacles). 

Mind you, I am NOT trying to be Jewish.  Rather, I long to understand and live in the fullness of the fact of our grafted into-ness and the unity Jesus has accomplished for us.  Christians have NOT replaced Jews - God has not fallen short of fulfilling His promises.  Rather, we are now INCLUDED in those promises - "As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you." Romans 11:28-31 

Knowing the Scripture that God has preserved will help us "learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 17:18-20). That being so, I'd like to recommend a fantastic Bible reading plan for you.  It's not a magic formula, but it HAS been revolutionary to me.  More than anything, I've been astounded by Scripture's fully capable way of interpreting itself.  Try it for a month - that's what I did ... I just haven't ever stopped "trying" it!!  First and foremost, Scripture!  However, if you're like me and would like a "jump start" learning about God's calendar and our Jewish roots, let me recommend The Feasts of the Lord, and be like the Berean's who searched the Scriptures for themselves to see if what Howard & Rosenthal are saying is true! (Acts 17:11)

Under the Spirit's awakening, I am learning - - seeing Messiah for who He more truly is.  My mourning is being turned to dancing, once again -- redemption is so sweet to the soul!