 The Believer's Heartfelt Response to The Feast of First Fruits
Summary
Inspecting the first fruits of the harvest provided for affirming that if the first fruits were good so would be the rest. The Feast of First-fruits, therefore, is a shadow pointing forward to Messiah’s resurrection as the first soul arisen in the newness of His eternal life. “But the fact is that the Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits 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.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22 JNT)
This new nature is appropriated with a conscious decision to affirm Messiah as LORD, coming under His headship, and allowing the Holy Spirit to have dominion. This should produce a change in attitudes and behavior.
Paul, therefore, exhorted believers to, “strip off your old nature, because your old nature is thoroughly rotted by its deceptive desires; 23 and you must let your spirits and minds keep being renewed, 24 and clothe yourselves with the new nature created to be godly, which expresses itself in the righteousness and holiness that flow from the truth.” (Ephesians 4:22-24 JNT)
With this fresh focus and openness to new things God may be doing, it becomes easy to receive new truth and revelation by the Holy Spirit. As God reveals truth, the Holy Spirit works change in your heart and renews your mindset. The more the eyes of your heart open, the wider your perspectives become—clearing the way for God to bring you through transition and redirection.
This is how the Holy Spirit leads you through the outworking of God’s creative and redemptive process; and this is what “counting the omer” is about! As you take time to engage with God these 50 days over the early harvest of new things He is doing—the first fruits—and allow His Word and Spirit to minister to you, He progressively expands revelation and truth to the point of climax at Shavuot—Pentecost! As you continue to engage with God over time, He will truly take you from faith-to-faith and glory-to-glory! (Romans 1:17 and 2 Corinthians 3:18)
Life Application Questions
In what ways do you affirm and permit Messiah to be LORD, and the Holy Spirit to reveal new truth? How is your new nature reflected in your life?
Scripture References
Ephesians 4:17-32; Colossians 3:1-17
Book References
Faith and Fables: p. 21-22
Sons and Servants: p. 119-123
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