A neat, often untold part of Jesus’ resurrection story is its festival. We know about the Passover festival’s relation to the crucifixion of Christ, but there was also a festival on the day of the resurrection. It was called the Festival of First Fruits. On the first day after the Passover Sabbath, which would have been Sunday, every Jewish male would be bringing a sheaf of barley to the temple. That barley would be offered to God, whose acceptance of the offering was a pledge for a greater harvest to come. Fifty days later, the Jewish people would celebrate the Festival of Weeks or Pentecost to celebrate that greater harvest of wheat that God provided.

Seeing any parallels?

Paul helps us out in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23:

“Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”

Christ’s resurrection, among many other provisions, is a pledge of a greater harvest to come. A harvest of people who are dead in sin will be made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Fifty days after the resurrection, during the Festival of Pentecost, Jesus had ascended, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the church, and 3,000 were added to the kingdom (see Acts 2). A truly greater harvest.

So What? A few takeaways:

• The resurrection was just the beginning! The resurrection of Christ is God’s pledge to bring a harvest from our lives as believers. The life of Christ within us is the power to produce fruit for God. The fruit of godly character and a harvest of disciples made. What is my life producing?
• The harvest doesn’t come without laborers and labor. Fields still have to be cultivated, seeds still have to be planted, and weeds must be dealt with. We should commit to working the fields and do our part to ensure a harvest of disciples made him. He pledges resurrection power to us. What am I doing to prepare for a harvest?

Fifty Days Until Harvest

What will you have to offer God? How many could God add to your church if you, dependent on Christ, allowed him to use you for a harvest? Get started:

• Ask God every day to make you fruitful.
• Prepare the fields by identifying who you can reach.
• Plant seeds by sharing the gospel in every way you can.
• Get equipped HERE.