RR Let's Celebrate Yom HaBikurim
Shalom,
Shalom again! Today we’re going to take a break from our series on the Psalms (we’ll pick it up tomorrow), and focus for a moment on “Yom HaBirkurim,” the day of the first fruit offering, aka Yeshua’s Resurrection Day. 1Corinthians 15:20 But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also has come through a Man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah will all be made alive.
As you know, I write these RRs (typically) a day in advance. For sure I’m writing this on Easter Sunday. Sometimes Easter Sunday fits the Jewish calendar (as THE resurrection day), but most of the time it does not. In fact, there are differences even when examining the Jewish calendar itself, meaning the rabbis don’t all agree and count the same. (There is always somebody with a “better” calendar.)
Yeshua’s resurrection (whenever you celebrate it) changed everything. The way we live, and even the way we view eternity. At the beginning of John’s vision (as related in the book of Revelation) he saw Yeshua, Who said to him, Revelation 1:17b “Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, 18a and the One who lives. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever!”
Let’s go back to appreciate fully what happened. Luke 23:54 Now it was the Day of Preparation, and Shabbat was approaching. 55 The women who had come with Him from the Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. But on Shabbat they rested according to the commandment.
On that first resurrection Sunday (following the Friday Passover and the Saturday Sabbath) the women returned to properly prepare Yeshua’s body.… but there was no body to be found. Luke 24:5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you search for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but He is risen!
Due to the confusion over the exact date, we (as Messianic followers of Yeshua) frequently skip the celebration of His resurrection completely. Another explanation is that our celebration is so focused on Passover that our community routinely misses His resurrection celebration. All of this is the sad truth from which we must repent. Next year (2027) is another year. Passover again begins on Wednesday night, (April 21, 2027) making it a second year in a row for a Shabbat celebration (April 24, 2027).
Matthew 12:40 For just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. Pesach III will be Saturday, April 24, 2027. That day, also Shabbat Pesach, will also be Resurrection Day for us. The Easter holiday celebrated by mainstream Christianity is set for Sunday, March 28, 2027, a month earlier. Mark your calendar for a month later and let’s celebrate. Shalom shalom.
Rabbi’s note: You may disagree with my assessment of the calendar. I’m sure there are multiple opinions. The only One Who has no opinion is God. Let’s worship Him and not the calendar. Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day over another while another judges every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. I’m sharing what’s on my mind. You are entitled to what is on yours. End RN.
Day 2 of the Omer
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon6-Apr-2026 19th of Nisan, 5786 Pesach V
Ex 22:24-23:19, Nu 28:19-25Isa 40 Pr 29Ac 28(Rev 22)
Shalom again! Today we’re going to take a break from our series on the Psalms (we’ll pick it up tomorrow), and focus for a moment on “Yom HaBirkurim,” the day of the first fruit offering, aka Yeshua’s Resurrection Day. 1Corinthians 15:20 But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also has come through a Man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Messiah will all be made alive.
As you know, I write these RRs (typically) a day in advance. For sure I’m writing this on Easter Sunday. Sometimes Easter Sunday fits the Jewish calendar (as THE resurrection day), but most of the time it does not. In fact, there are differences even when examining the Jewish calendar itself, meaning the rabbis don’t all agree and count the same. (There is always somebody with a “better” calendar.)
Yeshua’s resurrection (whenever you celebrate it) changed everything. The way we live, and even the way we view eternity. At the beginning of John’s vision (as related in the book of Revelation) he saw Yeshua, Who said to him, Revelation 1:17b “Do not be afraid! I am the First and the Last, 18a and the One who lives. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever!”
Let’s go back to appreciate fully what happened. Luke 23:54 Now it was the Day of Preparation, and Shabbat was approaching. 55 The women who had come with Him from the Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. But on Shabbat they rested according to the commandment.
On that first resurrection Sunday (following the Friday Passover and the Saturday Sabbath) the women returned to properly prepare Yeshua’s body.… but there was no body to be found. Luke 24:5 The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you search for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but He is risen!
Due to the confusion over the exact date, we (as Messianic followers of Yeshua) frequently skip the celebration of His resurrection completely. Another explanation is that our celebration is so focused on Passover that our community routinely misses His resurrection celebration. All of this is the sad truth from which we must repent. Next year (2027) is another year. Passover again begins on Wednesday night, (April 21, 2027) making it a second year in a row for a Shabbat celebration (April 24, 2027).
Matthew 12:40 For just as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. Pesach III will be Saturday, April 24, 2027. That day, also Shabbat Pesach, will also be Resurrection Day for us. The Easter holiday celebrated by mainstream Christianity is set for Sunday, March 28, 2027, a month earlier. Mark your calendar for a month later and let’s celebrate. Shalom shalom.
Rabbi’s note: You may disagree with my assessment of the calendar. I’m sure there are multiple opinions. The only One Who has no opinion is God. Let’s worship Him and not the calendar. Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day over another while another judges every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. I’m sharing what’s on my mind. You are entitled to what is on yours. End RN.
Day 2 of the Omer
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon6-Apr-2026 19th of Nisan, 5786 Pesach V
Ex 22:24-23:19, Nu 28:19-25Isa 40 Pr 29Ac 28(Rev 22)
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RR Psalm 42:12(11) Part 8RR Psalm 43:1 Part 1RR In Praise of Milk By David HarwoodRR Psalm 43:2 Part 2RR Psalm 43:3 Part 3RR Psalm 43:4 Part 4RR Psalm 43:5 Part 5RR Psalm 44:1-5(1-4) Part 1RR “The Priority & Power of Relationship” by Jerry MillerRR Favor on top of Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 44:6-9(5-8) Part 2RR Psalm 44:10-13(9-12) Part 3RR Psalm 44:14-17(13-16) Part 4RR Psalm 44:18-22(17-21) Part 5RR The Throne By David HarwoodRR Psalm 44:23-27(22-26) Part 6RR Psalm 45:1-3(1,2) Part 1RR PPsalm 45:4(3) Part 2RR Psalm 45:5(4) Part 3RR Psalm 45:6(5) Part 4RR Psalm 45:7(6) Part 5RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord” by Jerry MillerRR Doubting Favor by David HarwoodRR Psalm 45:8(7) Part 6RR Psalm 45:9(8) Part 7RR Psalm 45:10(9) Part 8RR Psalm 45:11-13(10-12) Part 9RR Favor and Calling By David HarwoodRR YESHUA BEYOND THE BIBLE By Dr. Raymond Finney RR Psalm 45:11-13(10-12) Part 10
February
RR Psalm 45:14-16(13-15) Part 11RR Psalm 45:17,18(16,17) Part 12RR Psalm 46:1,2(1) Part 1RR Psalm 46:3,4(2,3) Part 2RR Charismata - Signs of Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 3RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord” by Jerry MillerRR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 5RR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) – Part 4RR Psalm 46:5-8(4-7) Part 6RR Psalm 46:9-12(8-11) Part 7RR THE ONE AND ONLY YOU (Part 1) The Amazing Mystery of Light and You By Dr. Raymond FinneyRR Favor and Sanctity by David HarwoodRR Psalm 46:9-12 (8-11) Part 8RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 1RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 2RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 3RR Psalm 47:1-4(1-3) Part 4RR Gratitude for Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 47:6(5) Part 5RR Psalm 47:7(6) Part 6RR Psalm 47:9(8) Part 8RR Psalm 47:10(9) Part 9RR Psalm 48:1-3 Part 1RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord, Part 3” by Jerry MillerRR Some Favorite Verses (1) By David HarwoodRR Psalm 1:1 Part 1 (rerun)
March
RR Psalm 48:4(3) Part 2RR Psalm 48:8,9 Part 5RR Psalm 48:8,9 Part 4RR Psalm 48:5-7 Part 3RR Psalm 48:10-12 Part 6RR Psalm 48:10-12 Part 7RR Some Favorite Verses (2) Generosity and Enabling Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 48:13-15 Part 8RR Psalm 49:1-5 Part 1RR Psalm 49:1-5 Part 2RR Psalm 49:6(5) – Part 3RR Some Favorite Verses (3) Favor in Speaking and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 49:7-9(6-8) Part 4RR Psalm 49:10,11(9,10) Part 5RR Psalm 49:12(11), 13(12) – Part 6RR Psalm 49:14(13) Part 7RR Manifestations of Favor in Speaking and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 49:15,16(14,15) Part 9RR Psalm 49:15,16(14,15) Part 8RR Psalm 49:19-21(18-20) Part 11RR Psalm 49:17,18(16,17) Part 10RR Psalm 50:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 50:3 Part 2RR “Guarding our Relationship with the Lord, Part 5” by Jerry MillerRR Yeshua’s Enriched Speech and Knowledge By David HarwoodRR Psalm 50:5 Part 4RR Psalm 50:4 Part 3RR Psalm 50:6 Part 5RR Psalm 50:6 Part 6RR Psalm 50:7-15 Part 7