The Appointed Times: How Jesus Fulfilled the Spring Feasts

Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. With today’s podcast, we will begin our journey to the cross of Christ. I want to begin by sharing something that absolutely amazes me—the way Jesus fulfilled the Jewish feasts with perfect precision. This is one of the most beautiful prophetic pictures in all of Scripture, and it reveals God's incredible attention to detail in His plan of redemption.

Listen to what the prophet Amos recorded: God declared He would do nothing without first revealing it to His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7). From Genesis to Revelation, God provides picture after picture of His entire plan for mankind, and one of the most startling prophetic pictures is outlined for us in the Jewish feasts of Leviticus 23.

[Understanding the feasts - appointed times]

The Hebrew word for "feasts"—moadim—literally means "appointed times." Think about that! These weren't just celebrations or religious holidays. They were divine appointments that God had scheduled on His calendar from the beginning of time.

God carefully planned and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us a special story—the story of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

The seven annual feasts of Israel are still celebrated by observant Jews today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, these special days demonstrate the completed work of redemption through God's Son.

[The pattern - spring and fall feasts]

Here's the pattern: The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime, and they have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three feasts occur during the fall, all within a short fifteen-day period, and many Bible scholars believe these have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus but will be, at His second coming.

Just as the four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ's first coming, these three fall feasts, many believe, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to the Lord's second coming.

Today, I want to focus on the spring feasts—the ones Jesus has already fulfilled with stunning precision.

[Feast #1 - Passover]

The first feast is Passover (Leviticus 23:5). This feast pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb whose blood would be shed for our sins.

And here's what's remarkable: Jesus was crucified on Passover! Mark 14:12 tells us that Jesus was crucified during the time that Passover was being observed. At the very moment when Jewish families throughout Jerusalem were sacrificing their Passover lambs, Jesus—the Lamb of God—was dying on the cross.

First Corinthians 5:7 makes this explicit: "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." First Peter 1:19 describes Him as "a lamb without blemish or defect" because His life was completely free from sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Just as the first Passover in Egypt marked the Hebrews' release from slavery—when the angel of death passed over homes marked with lamb's blood—the death of Christ marks our release from the slavery of sin (Romans 8:2). The blood of Jesus covers us so that death passes over us and we receive eternal life!

[Feast #2 - Unleavened Bread]

The second feast is Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6), which begins the day after Passover and lasts for seven days. During this feast, no leaven (yeast) was permitted in Jewish homes. Leaven is consistently used as a picture of sin in the Bible—it puffs up, it spreads, it corrupts.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread pointed to the Messiah's sinless life, making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35), but unlike regular bread, He has no leaven—no sin—in Him.

Here's the beautiful fulfillment: Jesus' body was in the grave during the first days of this feast. His sinless body was laid in the tomb like a kernel of wheat planted in the ground (John 12:24), waiting to burst forth as the bread of life. During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the sinless Bread of Life was in the grave!

[Feast #3 - First Fruits]

The third feast is First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10-14). This feast occurred on the day after the Sabbath, Sunday, during the week of Unleavened Bread. On this day, the priest would take a sheaf of the first grain harvested and wave it before the Lord as an offering, celebrating the beginning of the harvest and acknowledging that God would provide a full harvest.

This feast pointed to the Messiah's resurrection as the first fruits of the righteous. And incredibly, Jesus was resurrected on this very day! The timing is perfect. He rose on the Feast of First Fruits, which is exactly why Paul refers to Him in 1 Corinthians 15:20 as "the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep."

Just as the priest waved the first sheaf of grain before the Lord, signifying that a full harvest was coming, Jesus' resurrection is the guarantee that a full harvest of resurrected believers will follow! He is the first fruits, and we who believe in Him will be resurrected after Him.

First Corinthians 15:23 says, "But each in turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him." Jesus' resurrection on the Feast of First Fruits guarantees our resurrection!

[Feast #4 - Weeks/Pentecost]

The fourth and final spring feast is the Feast of Weeks, also called Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-22). This feast occurred fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits—exactly seven weeks later, which is why it's called the Feast of Weeks.

This feast celebrated the wheat harvest and pointed prophetically to the great harvest of souls who would be brought into the kingdom of God during the Church Age—both Jews and Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit.

And once again, the fulfillment was precise! The Church was actually established on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when God poured out His Holy Spirit. Peter preached his first Gospel sermon, and 3,000 Jews responded and were baptized in one day. That was the beginning of the great harvest of souls that continues to this day!

Think about the symbolism: Pentecost celebrated the wheat harvest, and on the day of Pentecost, 3,000 souls were harvested into the Kingdom of God. Jesus had said in John 4:35, "Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." The harvest began on Pentecost!

[The stunning precision - all fulfilled on the exact days]

Do you see the stunning precision here?

• Jesus died as our Passover Lamb on Passover—the very day Jews were sacrificing lambs!
• Jesus, the sinless Bread of Life, was in the tomb during the Feast of Unleavened Bread!
• Jesus rose from the dead on the Feast of First Fruits—guaranteeing our resurrection!
• The Holy Spirit was poured out and the Church was born on Pentecost—the harvest feast!

This is not coincidence. This is divine orchestration. God appointed these times thousands of years before Jesus came, and Jesus fulfilled them with perfect precision, right down to the exact day!

[What about the fall feasts?]

Now, the three fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled:

The Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) is believed by many to point to the Rapture of the Church, when Jesus will appear in the heavens for His bride. The Rapture is always associated in Scripture with the blowing of a loud trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:52).

The Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27) is believed to point prophetically to the Second Coming of Jesus when the Jewish remnant will "look upon Him whom they have pierced" and receive Him as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10, Romans 11:25-26).

The Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34) is believed to point to the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus will "tabernacle" with His people and reign over all the earth (Micah 4:1-7).

If the spring feasts were fulfilled literally on the exact days, might the fall feasts also be fulfilled literally on those appointed days? Many Bible scholars believe so. We wait with anticipation!

[Should Christians celebrate these feasts?]

So should Christians celebrate these Jewish feast days today? This is a matter of personal conscience. Colossians 2:16-17 tells us, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ."

We are not bound to observe these feasts the way Old Testament Jews were. But we shouldn't criticize believers who do or don't observe them (Romans 14:5). Whether you celebrate them or not, it is absolutely beneficial to study them because they reveal Christ so beautifully!

If you choose to celebrate these special days, put Christ in the center of the celebration as the One who came to fulfill their prophetic significance. Our family has celebrated the Passover Seder meal for a few years now and the symbolism that points to Christ in this meal is just beautiful! 

[The takeaway - God's perfect plan]

God is a God of perfect timing and perfect planning. He doesn't do things haphazardly. He appointed these feasts thousands of years in advance, embedded prophetic meaning in them, and then fulfilled them through Jesus with stunning precision—right down to the exact day!

This should strengthen our faith tremendously. If God orchestrated the first coming of Christ with such precision, fulfilling four feast days exactly as prophesied, can we not trust Him to fulfill the remaining three at His second coming? If He kept His appointments for the spring feasts, He will keep His appointments for the fall feasts!

And it should give us confidence in sharing the Gospel with Jewish people. These are their feasts! When you show a Jewish person how Jesus fulfilled Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost with perfect precision, it's powerful evidence that Jesus is indeed the Jewish Messiah!

[Closing prayer and reflection]

Let me pray: Lord God, what an amazing God You are! You made each of these feasts to point to Your Son Jesus Christ. You fulfilled them down to the exact moment! How amazing to see the precision with which Jesus fulfilled the spring feasts. How awesome that we can look forward to Jesus fulfilling the fall feasts with that same attention to detail when He returns. Holy Spirit, excite our hearts anew to look to the cross, the empty grave and to the skies for Your return Lord Jesus. We love you! Amen. 

Thank you for joining me today. I hope this has deepened your appreciation for God's Word and for the perfect way Jesus fulfilled prophecy!

Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, and marvel at God's appointed times!

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St. Patrick: From Slave to Missionary Giant

Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today is March 17th, 2026—St. Patrick's Day. For most people, this is a day for parades, green beer, and shamrocks. But for me, this day is deeply personal.

My great-great-grandmother was from Ireland, so Irish heritage runs in my blood. But even more personally, my grandma Esther—a woman who deeply influenced my faith—went home to be with Jesus on St. Patrick's Day. So this day always brings celebration and remembrance for me.

But St. Patrick's Day has become special for another reason: I've learned the incredible story of St. Patrick himself. And friends, this is not the story of leprechauns and four-leaf clovers. This is the story of slavery, suffering, forgiveness, and one of the most successful missionary endeavors in Christian history.

[Patrick's story - from captivity to calling]

Let me take you back to Britain in the late 4th century. A teenage boy named Succat—later known as Patrick—was living comfortably as the son of a wealthy Roman-British official. Then Irish raiders attacked his family's estate. Patrick wrote: "I was grabbed from behind, tied up, and roughly pushed towards a waiting ship. I was being taken as a slave! I was only sixteen years old."

In Ireland, Patrick was sold to a chieftain and forced to herd pigs in cold, rainy weather. He was hungry, wet, and always lonely. But something happened during those six years of slavery. Patrick, who had grown up in a Christian home but wasn't personally devoted to God, turned to prayer. He prayed up to 100 times a day! His suffering drove him to God, and he also learned the Irish language and customs.

After six years, Patrick had a dream: "Behold, your ship is ready." He walked 200 miles to Wexford, found a ship needing someone to care for Irish wolfhounds, and escaped. Eventually he made it home to Britain. His parents were overjoyed and begged him never to leave again.

[The impossible call - returning to his captors]

Patrick continued his studies and became a priest. Then he had another dream—he saw the people of Ireland pleading: "We beg you, holy youth, to come and walk among us once more." Patrick knew he must return to Ireland—to the very people who had enslaved him!

Think about that. This wasn't just cross-cultural missions. This was returning to the nation that had kidnapped him and stolen six years of his life. This was radical forgiveness and radical obedience.

Around 432 AD, Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary. He asked King Leary's permission to preach, then traveled throughout Ireland bringing many to Christ. He spent 40 days praying on a mountain (now called Croagh Patrick), trained Irish priests, and established churches and monasteries.

The famous shamrock story? When the Irish struggled to understand the Trinity, Patrick picked a shamrock showing three leaves but one plant—helping them grasp Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one God.

Patrick died on March 17, 493 AD—which is why we celebrate today—after nearly 30 years of missionary work in Ireland.

[The lasting impact - Ireland's golden age]

But the story doesn't end there! After Patrick's death, Ireland became crucial to preserving Christianity during Europe's Dark Ages. The Irish Celtic Church sent out many missionaries and preserved learning through monasteries.

In the first 250 years after Patrick's death, around 500 Irish saints were recognized. Irish missionaries established monasteries throughout Scotland, England, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy. They copied manuscripts, preserved learning, and spread the Gospel throughout Europe.

Historians call this Ireland's "Golden Age"—when this small island became the intellectual and spiritual center of Western Christianity. And it all traces back to one former slave who forgave his captors and returned to preach the Gospel.

[Christianity in Ireland today - the decline]

So what about Ireland today? The situation is heartbreaking. According to the 2022 Irish census, only 69% identify as Catholic—down from 84% in 2011. Those with "no religion" have grown to 14%, more than doubling in a decade. Church attendance has plummeted—only 10-15% of those under 35 attend weekly Mass.

Why? Clerical abuse scandals devastated trust. Rapid economic modernization brought secularization. Younger generations see institutional Christianity as oppressive. Ireland legalized same-sex marriage (2015) and abortion (2018), showing how much values have shifted.

[Signs of hope - new growth]

But there are signs of hope! Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity is growing in Ireland, though from a small base. There are approximately 50,000-70,000 evangelical Christians in 500-600 churches. Many are vibrant, growing, and reaching younger generations with biblical teaching and authentic community.

Ireland is also receiving immigrants from Poland, Romania, Brazil, and Nigeria who are planting churches and bringing fresh spiritual energy. Organizations now include Ireland as a mission field! Just as Patrick was once a captive taken from Britain to Ireland and returned as a missionary, today people from former British colonies are coming to Ireland as missionaries!

[What we can learn - Patrick's example]

What can we learn from Patrick's story? First, suffering can be preparation—Patrick's slavery prepared him to reach the Irish. Second, forgiveness opens mission fields—Patrick forgave his captors and returned to serve them. Third, training national leaders multiplies impact—Patrick trained Irish priests who then reached all of Europe. Fourth, long-term commitment produces lasting fruit—Patrick spent nearly 30 years in Ireland.

[How to pray for Ireland]

Pray for spiritual awakening in Ireland. Pray for evangelical churches to grow and multiply. Pray for young people who have rejected Christianity to encounter the living Christ. Pray for immigrant Christians to be salt and light. Pray for protection against further secularization.

[Personal reflection and closing]

As I think about my great-great-grandmother from Ireland and my grandma Esther who went to be with Jesus on St. Patrick's Day, I'm reminded that faith is passed down through generations. Patrick planted faith in Ireland. Irish monks kept faith alive in Europe. Irish immigrants brought faith to America. And now we pray for faith to return to Ireland.

This St. Patrick's Day, remember Patrick—the slave who became a saint, the captive who returned as a missionary, the man whose forgiveness changed a nation and shaped Western civilization.

And ask yourself: What is God calling me to do that seems as impossible as returning to those who enslaved me? Where is God preparing me through suffering? Who am I called to forgive and reach with the Gospel?

[Closing prayer]

Let me pray: Lord Jesus, thank you that we can look to Patrick as an example of a man who was sold out to You and had a servant’s heart. He truly loved his enemies and those who hurt him. He obeyed Your calling, even though it must have been very difficult. Please help each of us to learn from him. We also pray for Ireland, that the spark that once burnt brightly there, for You Lord Jesus, will once again be fanned into a flame! May it be so Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen. 

Thank you for joining me for this St. Patrick's Day special. May Patrick's story inspire you to radical obedience and radical forgiveness.

Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, including Ireland, and answer God's call wherever it leads!

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Dreams in the Darkness: Easter Miracles in Iran

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Over the past several weeks, we've been exploring stories of God's work during Ramadan—how Jesus is revealing Himself to Muslims through dreams, visions, and divine encounters during their most sacred month.

And now, as we transition from Ramadan into the Easter season, I want to share one more powerful story that bridges both of these significant times.

Today, we journey into one of the most spiritually restricted nations on earth—the Islamic Republic of Iran.

It is a place where Christianity is outlawed, where churches have been forced underground, where Bibles are banned, and where following Jesus can cost you everything.

And yet… Iran has one of the fastest-growing churches in the world—fueled in part by what happens every year around the Easter season.

This is the story of dreams, visions, secret gatherings… and the risen Christ walking into locked rooms.

Let me paint the picture for you.

In Iran, you won't find church signs. You won't see Christian bookstores. You won't find worship services streaming online.

Instead, the church meets in basements. In living rooms. On rooftops at midnight. In abandoned warehouses. In whispered circles of two or three.

There are no choirs. There is no choir loft. There are no microphones. No sound systems. No Easter banners or decorations.

And yet… believers gather every year in secret to celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection.

Here's what's remarkable.

Missionaries and underground pastors report that in the weeks surrounding Easter, dreams and visions of Jesus dramatically increase.

It's as if the resurrection story—even when forbidden—breaks through anyway. The government can ban Bibles. They can close churches. They can imprison pastors. But they cannot stop Jesus from appearing to people in their sleep.

Let me share a story that illustrates this powerfully.

One underground church leader shared this story from an Easter week several years ago:

A Muslim man in his 20s had been struggling with fear and depression. His life felt empty. He was searching for meaning but didn't know where to find it.

One night, he dreamed of a Man in shining white standing beside an empty tomb.

The Man called him by name and said: "Why do you fear? I am the Resurrection and the Life."

He woke up trembling, unsure what the dream meant. In his Islamic worldview, he had no context for this. Who was this Man? What was this empty tomb?

The next night, the same dream returned. Word for word. Image for image. The Man in white. The empty tomb. The voice calling his name.

And a third night as well—this time with the Man stretching out His hands, showing wounds that looked like light.

Friends, listen to this: The young man had never read the Bible. He had never heard the Easter story. He did not know about Jesus' scars.

But he felt compelled to search. Something deep inside told him this dream was significant, that he needed to find out who this Man was.

During Easter week, as he walked through a market, a stranger bumped into him—a Christian woman carrying groceries.

A small folded tract slipped from her bag and landed at his feet.

In Iran, this is incredibly dangerous. You can be arrested just for possessing Christian literature. But there it was, at his feet.

It read: "He is risen. He is Lord."

He followed her—took the risk—and whispered, "Tell me… who is this?"

That night she introduced him to two underground believers. They met in a small apartment, curtains drawn, speaking in hushed voices.

They opened a New Testament—the first he had ever seen—and read: "I am the Resurrection and the Life." John 11:25.

He burst into tears.

"This is the One from my dream," he said.

He surrendered his life to Christ that night—and was baptized quietly in a bathtub at 2 a.m. on Easter morning.

Just like we've been hearing throughout our Ramadan series—Jesus meeting Muslims where they are, revealing Himself supernaturally—the same thing is happening during Easter season in Iran.

Let me share three powerful truths from Scripture that this story brings to life.

First, Jesus still visits locked rooms.

John 20:19 says, "The doors were locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, yet Jesus came and stood among them."

Iranian believers say this is happening today—Jesus enters locked spaces where no preacher can go. Homes that are under surveillance. Cities with no Christian witness. Hearts that seem completely closed to the Gospel.

The government can lock the doors, but they cannot keep Jesus out.

Second, the risen Christ reveals Himself to seekers.

Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

Many Iranian Muslims encounter Jesus supernaturally before they ever meet a Christian. They have dreams during Ramadan. They have visions around Easter. They hear His voice calling them by name.

God is not waiting for us to reach them—He's already at work.

Third, the resurrection breaks fear.

Revelation 1:17-18 says, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore."

This is the message appearing in dreams across Iran. "Do not be afraid." The same message the angels spoke at the empty tomb. The same message Jesus spoke to His disciples.

Now let me tell you what Easter looks like in the underground church.

During the weeks around Easter, underground churches often gather in small groups of 4-6 people. Any larger and you risk detection.

They whisper hymns. They read Scripture by candlelight or phone light. They take communion with small pieces of bread hidden in napkins. They pray for courage, knowing officials may knock on the door at any moment.

One pastor described it this way: "Every Easter, we remember that our Savior stepped out of a sealed tomb. So we know He can step into any locked house in Iran."

Think about that. Their Easter isn't about sunrise services in beautiful sanctuaries. It's not about Easter lilies and full choirs. It's about gathering in fear and danger to celebrate that death could not hold Jesus—and therefore, nothing can stop His church.

Reports from the underground church show that many first-time baptisms happen during Easter week. Entire families come to Christ after shared dreams—a father and son both dreaming of Jesus on the same night.

Former imams convert after seeing visions of the risen Jesus. These are men who devoted their lives to teaching Islam, suddenly encountering the living Christ.

Miraculous healings often occur near Easter gatherings. Physical healings, emotional healings, deliverances from demonic oppression.

One former imam said: "At Easter, Jesus walks through Iran. I saw Him… and everything changed."

Despite persecution, imprisonment, and government pressure—the Iranian church continues to multiply.

No buildings. No freedom. No public Easter services. No advertisements. No evangelistic campaigns.

And yet… the resurrection power of Christ is spreading from home to home, from heart to heart.

Today, millions quietly identify as followers of Jesus in Iran.

Some estimates say the Iranian church has grown from fewer than 500 believers in 1979 to potentially millions today. Nobody knows the exact number because it's all underground.

And many trace their first encounter with Him to a dream, a vision, a whispered testimony, or a secret Easter gathering in a darkened room.

One Iranian believer summarized it perfectly: "They can lock a door. They can shut a church. But they cannot seal a tomb again. Jesus is alive, and He walks among us."

So what does this story mean for us?

The Iranian Easter stories remind us of five vital truths:

First, the resurrection is not limited by geography or government. Jesus doesn't need our permission. He doesn't need religious freedom. He doesn't need ideal conditions. He shows up anyway.

Second, Jesus is still revealing Himself supernaturally. We saw this throughout our Ramadan series—Muslims encountering Jesus in dreams and visions. It's happening around Easter too. God is not limited to our methods.

Third, fear cannot silence the Gospel. The Iranian government has tried everything to stamp out Christianity. But the more they persecute, the faster it grows.

Fourth, the Spirit is moving powerfully among the persecuted. While the comfortable church in the West often struggles with lukewarm faith, the suffering church burns with passion.

Fifth, Easter is not fragile. Easter is unstoppable.

Let me ask you some questions. What would it cost you to celebrate Easter? For Iranian believers, it could cost their freedom, their safety, their lives. For us? We complain if the service runs a little long.

How seriously do you take the resurrection? Iranian believers risk everything to gather and remember that Jesus conquered death. Do we treat Easter with that same reverence?

And what are you doing to support the persecuted church? These are our brothers and sisters. They need our prayers. They need us to advocate for them. They need us to remember them.

Friends, as we move into this Easter season, I want to challenge you. Don't take your freedom for granted. Don't treat Easter like just another holiday. Don't let the resurrection become background noise in your life.

The risen Christ is still entering locked rooms, still calling names, still showing His scars, and still raising the dead to life.

Let me pray…Thank you for joining me today. The story of Easter in Iran reminds me that nothing—no government, no persecution, no locked door—can stop the risen Christ.

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, pray for the persecuted church, and remember—you cannot seal a tomb that Jesus has already opened.

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