This week is the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. An increasing number of Christians are observing this festival as they follow the example of Jesus Christ. We first see this special occasion being observed when the children of Israel departed from Egypt and had to do so speedily, giving no time for their bread dough to become leavened.

Are the Biblical festivals listed in Leviticus 23 still applicable today? We can see several Scriptures in the New Testament showing Christians continuing to observe this festival. Paul uses the symbols of unleavened bread observance to get across to the Corinthian church that they were sinning.

What can we learn from this festival in our modern day and age? During this festival, leavening agents represents sin. Why? Leaven puffs up. It spreads throughout a batch of dough. Sin, likewise, causes people to become arrogant. Furthermore, sin spreads. One sin leads to another.

It is highly instructive to have the physical reminder of unleavened bread in our daily diet reminding us to live an unleavened life. We are prompted to learn to behave righteously. “Therefore purge out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For also Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast; not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians:5:7-8[7]Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:[8]Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.).

Some may claim that giving up leavened food stuffs for a week is unnecessary. But, once you actually observe this Feast, you learn that it is most rewarding, insightful and illuminating. Read or request the booklet God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. You can find it online at http://www.ucg.ca/booklets/gods-holy-day-plan-promise-hope-all-mankind/.

 Anthony Wasilkoff