The Feast Day of the Sheaf of First Fruits

Yom HaBikkurim, Feast of First Fruits, occurs during the final stage of the Passover. Read in Leviticus 23:9-14 where the Lord commands Moshe to speak to the Israelites, to: "bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. (11) He shall waive the sheaf before the Lord to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it."

The Lord commanded a sacrifice on the fourth day after the beginning of Passover. The New Covenant explains the significance of this event in First Corinthians 15:20-23: (20) "But the fact is that Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. (21) For since death came through a man, also the resurrection of the dead has come through a man. (22) For just as in connection with Adam all die, so in connection with the Messiah all will be made alive. (23) But each in his own order: the Messiah is the firstfruits; then those who belong to the Messiah, at the time of his coming;" (Complete Jewish Bible, English Version by David H. Stern). Paul clearly links Yeshua to the sacrifice of the first fruits, to be accepted on our behalf, as they say, "the reason for the season." This day may take a second place in the great preparations and festivities of Passover; but it is, indeed, a day to be greatly thankful to the Father. He sent the world a Messiah, fulfilling the only hope for resurrection for humankind, and designated this day in Torah and the New Covenant as a marker of His redemptive plan for us.