Volume V, Issue XVI
Barley, Not Bunnies
The first people to learn of, and celebrate, the Resurrection of Christ would not have associated the day with Spring fertility symbols. They would likely have seen more of an association to the next Feast following Passover.
In Leviticus Chapter 23 there is a list of Feasts, instituted by G-d's command: "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts." -- Leviticus 23:1. In verse nine He continues: "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the Lord." -- Leviticus 23:10-12
The harvest of Barley, a Winter crop, marked the Firstfruits, and the recognition that this was the beginning of the inbringing of G-d's provision. This came after the celebration of the Passover. After celebrating G-d's deliverance, the people moved on to celebrate G-d's provision!
In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul says: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." -- a direct reference to this Feast. 1 Corinthians 15 [click to read] is a wonderful Scripture to read in the days following Resurrection Sunday. Here is a powerful and succinct testimony to the power of Resurrection. h/t Pastor Bruce Hankee
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