Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES AND PALM SUNDAY


On the fifteenth day of the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, the people of Israel would announce and proclaim in all their cities and in Jerusalem, saying, "Go out to the mountain, and bring olive branches, branches of oil trees, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written." (Neh 8:15). It was a time to leave their houses, set up temporary dwellings (booths), focus on worship, and remember that we are still pilgrims on this earth, and God is yet to establish His kingdom here on earth.

"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the LORD. . . .
'Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest. And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. You shall keep it as a feast to the LORD for seven days in the year. It shall be a statute forever in your generations. You shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
(Lev 23:34, 39-41)

And then Jesus, the Messiah arrived on the scene! Could this be the time when God would restore Israel and establish His kingdom on earth?

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: "Hosanna! 'BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!' The King of Israel!" Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: "FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SITTING ON A DONKEY'S COLT."
(Joh 12:12-15)

We also wave palms on Palm Sunday as we celebrate the first coming of Christ, and it is also a good time to remember the feast of tabernacles (i.e., booths), and remind ourselves that we are still pilgrims and strangers on this earth, and that we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom that is yet to be established on this earth. Let us not get too comfortable in our houses, for they are mere tents in the grand scheme of things.

Remember our message and our mission! And remember to Rejoice in the Lord Always! (Philippians 4:4)

Yours in Him,
Pastor B.