Should Christians observe any of the Jewish festivals?

Since Christ is our Passover, we no longer need to sacrifice a Passover lamb; He is that Lamb. This same principal applies to all of the Jewish festivals and feasts. When Christ came and then died on the cross, it changed everything. He was the fulfillment of every type and symbol in the Jewish religious system, whether to things that have happened in the past or will happen in the future.

I have no burden to challenge those who feel convicted to observe these days, but I also don’t see the point. I see no reason to keep the Jewish holidays that were a shadow of what Jesus was to do here on earth. Why embrace His shadow when He’s before you in flesh and blood? Why stare at a loved one’s photo when they’re standing next to you? Some feasts required worshipers to offer sacrifices at the Jerusalem temple, so it’s obviously not possible to keep them now.

The festivals remembering the Exodus and the sanctuary were “nailed to the cross” when Jesus died (Colossians 2:16). They were shadows (v. 17), the handwriting of ordinances on paper. In contrast, the unchanging Sabbath was written in stone. That is why the veil was ripped from top to bottom in Matthew 27:51. No man could have ripped that veil in that fashion. It was an indication from God that the types that pointed to Jesus ended with the crucifixion. Daniel 9:27 prophecies this when it says, “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.”

In the place of the Passover, Jesus gave us the communion service; the national festival of the Jews was to pass away.

Key Bible Texts

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: (1 Corinthians 5:7 KJV)