How does Exodus 23:14 connect to New Testament teachings on worship? The Call to Gather: Exodus 23:14 “Three times a year you are to celebrate a feast to Me.” Key Observations • God Himself sets the rhythm and priority of worship. • “To Me” centers every celebration on the Lord, not the people. • The command unites the nation in collective obedience, gratitude, and remembrance. Echoes in the Gospels • Jesus honored these divinely appointed feasts, traveling to Jerusalem for Passover and other festivals (John 2:13; 5:1; 7:10). • By keeping the feasts, He verified their ongoing authority and pointed to their ultimate fulfillment in Himself (Matthew 5:17). Fulfillment in Christ • Passover → Christ our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). • Unleavened Bread → His sinless body broken for us (Luke 22:19). • Firstfruits → His resurrection as “firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). • Each feast foreshadows His saving work, directing worship toward His redemptive victory. New Testament Patterns of Gathering • Regular assembly remains vital: “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25). • Early believers met daily in the temple courts and homes, breaking bread “with gladness and sincerity of heart” (Acts 2:46). • The first day of the week becomes the natural meeting time, celebrating the risen Lord (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). From Annual Feasts to Continual Worship • Exodus 23:14 commanded periodic corporate worship; the Spirit now empowers continual worship: – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). – “Through Jesus… continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15). • Corporate and personal devotion are no longer confined to set days but flow from a heart indwelt by the Holy Spirit (John 4:23-24). Shared Themes: Then and Now • Obedience: Gathering when God says to gather. • Remembrance: Recalling deliverance—Israel from Egypt, believers from sin. • Celebration: Joyful praise rooted in God’s gracious acts. • Unity: Worship as a covenant people, assembled around the Lord’s provision. Practical Takeaways for Today • Honor Christ’s completed work by meeting faithfully with fellow believers. • Approach every gathering as “to Him,” not merely for ourselves. • Let the rhythm of weekly corporate worship and daily praise reflect the Scriptural pattern of regular, God-centered celebration. |
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