 The Significance of The Feast of Unleavened Bread
Summary
The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins the day after Passover, and is kept for seven days. Special care is taken to remove all leaven (yeast) from the house. God had a lot to say about the leaven: anyone eating any leaven would be cut off from the congregation of Israel (Exodus 12:15), whether a stranger or native; it shall not be seen among you (13:7); "You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leaven” (Exodus 34:25 NKJV). Even in the New Covenant, Messiah specifically exhorted the people several times to beware of the leaven of the religious leaders as well as Herod.
What is the issue with leaven? It is a fermenting substance; a turbulent form of bacterium that is permeating and pervasive in nature. It spreads like a cancer or virus, contaminating, polluting and corrupting what it touches. It therefore, is used as a metaphor for sin. As it spreads, it compromises and destroys what is good and otherwise pure.
Messiah fulfilled this celebration, being sinless. He was pure, filled with a full measure of the Holy Spirit, and demonstrated a lifestyle free from sin. He has once and for all fulfilled the requirement of this law. All in Messiah are not only justified before God, but sanctified (cleansed from sin) in His name.
So, why was this feast prescribed for seven days, whereas Passover is a single-day event? While we are redeemed by Messiah’s single sacrifice of His blood, we are to appropriate His sacrifice and pursue a life-long process of being continuously sanctified and purified (washed), growing into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Messiah. (Ephesians 4:13) This entails:
- Studying and meditating on God’s Word, allowing it to breathe life and change our attitudes and behaviors
- Engaging with God in prayer, receiving the Holy Spirit’s inward conviction, instruction and guidance
- Responding appropriately, turning from leaven-like influences, and changing our mindsets and motivations
This was what the apostle, Paul, also had in mind as he made the point of teaching the disciples to, “keep working out your deliverance with fear and trembling,? for God is the one working among you both the willing and the working for what pleases him.” (Philippians 2:12-13 JNT)
Life Application Questions
Do you genuinely feel clean before God? Are there ways you find yourself justifying your righteousness, or standing before God? Do you ever feel condemned by others, and/or the need to defend your works or self-worth to others?
If so, there may be some areas God wants to cleanse in your life. You can’t vindicate yourself and have peace. Only God can give you true peace. Allow the Holy Spirit—God’s Comforter—to minister God’s love and continue to accomplish Messiah’s cleansing work in you.
Are there known areas of sin in your life? Earnestly ask God to show them to you. He will be faithful to reveal to you—as your heart remains inclined toward Him, and is prepared to receive His truth in His love. For, with His love—which is unconditional—comes His mercy.
Embrace David’s prayer in Psalm 51:1-3.
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Scripture References
Exodus 12:15-20; Leviticus 23:6-8; Psalm 24; 26:8-12; 119:1-40; Romans 3:21-5:20; Galatians 2:11-3:25; James 2:14-26; John 17:17-19; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 7:14; Hebrews 10:5-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8; Colossians 1:21-23
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 18-22; 57; 94; 98; 169
Sons and Servants: p. 71
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