Celebrating the Lord’s Appointed Times, April 1st, 2026 by Richard Maisenbacher
Understanding What We Celebrate
Many believers wonder exactly what we are to celebrate during this period of time in April. We are approaching the First Feasts of the Lord, which include Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Firstfruits. Leviticus 23:4 instructs,“These are appointed times of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them.” But some believers argue this is in the Old Testament, and does not apply to us now, even though Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God …”
Challenges and Covenant Relationship
I must admit, it can be a little more challenging this year to celebrate the Feasts of the Lord while all the turmoil in the world unfolds. Peace and joy are much more difficult to attain as all the 7 mountains (Art/Entertainment, Business, Education, Family, Government, Media, and Religion) seem to be shaken! However, peace and joy can be received through our covenant relationship with Him as He imparts His fruit to us. In our covenant relationship with Him, we receive His attributes and character through His divine exchange process as we grow and mature, revealing more of His nature.
The Feasts: Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits
Passover, April 1-8, 2026, commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. The Feast of Unleavened Bread, a seven-day observance from April 2nd through the 8th, is a festival to remember God's deliverance. The Feast of Firstfruits takes place during the week-long Passover celebration from April 4th to 5th. Examining and implementing the Feasts gives us a deeper knowing and appreciation of God and His ways.
Significance of Passover and Resurrection Sunday
Let’s take a moment to understand the Feasts more fully so you can have a joyful Passover and Resurrection Sunday, April 5th. Ephesians 2:13 declares, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” This means there is no condemnation for those who come to Jesus and receive Him as their Messiah, Lord, and Savior. We have entered a covenant relationship with Him and have passed from death to life!
Freedom Through Faith
In Romans, it says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus.” The Father has offered the blood of His own Son as the Passover Lamb and entered our House, which is our life. And in that covenant of peace, He brings us from sin to righteousness, bondage to liberty, defeat to victory, fear to faith, sickness to health, poverty to plenty, and from death to life! Celebrating Passover reminds us of the bondage we were in and how we now walk in freedom because of Christ and the New Covenant.
Feast of Unleavened Bread: Cleansing and Joy
We will also observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread this week, from April 2nd to the 8th. Ezra 6:22 says, “And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy.” This is a time to remove any leaven (sin) in our lives and in our hearts. You may be thinking that getting rid of the leaven is difficult and unenjoyable, but God looks for saints who will leap for joy in this process, as they seek ways to please Him in this love relationship. Therefore, part of this process of cleansing teaches us about the burial with Jesus and a life separate from the leaven of the world. Paul talks about “putting off the old man” or our “flesh” in Ephesians 4:22-24 and Colossians 3:9-10.
Feast of Firstfruits: Resurrection and Renewal
From sunset, April 4th to 6 pm on April 5th, we celebrate the Feast of Firstfruits! It is our resurrection with Christ and a reflection of our future resurrection. In this process of consecration, we must put off the old and put on the new.
Paul says in Ephesians 4:24, “And... Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” The key is allowing the Holy Spirit to live a resurrected life through us! 2nd Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We also find in Galatians 2:20 the good news - “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
It is nice to say we have been crucified with Christ, or we go to the cross daily; however, we must also put on Christ by the Spirit to experience resurrection power! It takes both. I have tried to do everything in my power in the flesh, and I have also done nothing, expecting God to do everything for me. I have found that neither works on its own. It takes forgiveness and repentance in our synergistic relationship with the Lord.
Galatians 5:16 reminds us to “Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh!” The fruit found in Galatians 5:22-23, will be the dominant force, giving expression to love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we align ourselves with His Spirit, “We not only have peace with God, but we have the peace of God,” Colossians 3:15. Peace with God helps us walk this walk by more clearly hearing His voice.
The Feast of Firstfruits was celebrated the day after Shabbat (Saturday). Before the Sheaves of Barley of the new crop could be touched or eaten, there had to be an offering unto the Lord. This act reminded the farmers that the whole harvest belonged to Him, and they just managed it. They were stewards. Offering first fruits consecrated the whole harvest to God. If God accepted it, the whole harvest was accepted. Jesus fulfilled the feast when He was resurrected as First Fruits from the dead. He was set apart unto God. Do you realize you are God’s first fruits and set apart, too? James 1:18 reminds us, “We who walk with Christ are His first fruits.” NASB.
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man (Christ) also came the resurrection of the dead. For in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. NASB.
Jesus was the first to ascend, never to die again. He was the human sheaf set apart to conquer death and provide eternal life to those who believe in Him. Jesus said to Mary in John 20:17, “Do not cling to me (touch me) for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren; and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to me My God and your God.” ESV. It was during this Feast that He was resurrected. It was in the evening, not sunrise, when the first fruits were waved. That’s why he couldn’t be touched, as the great high priest.
Ephesians 1:6 - “He (God) made us acceptable in Christ, the Beloved.” KJV.
Romans 11:16 - “If the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy and if the root is holy, so are the branches.” NKJV
LET’S REVIEW: In the early Church, Passover was one of the most important times of the year. During Passover, the slaves were freed to obtain their full potential spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. Passover is the redemptive feast linked with crossing over and entering resurrection power through the blood of the Lamb. God gave us this Feast to celebrate, being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb out of the hands of the enemy. We move from Passover to Resurrection, entering a joyful time to remember that Jesus died to set us free. This allows us to enter the fullness of every promise that has been extended to mankind. In a world of chaos, we can see the Lord’s power and demonstration of His Covenant of Peace, which includes safety, security, strength, prosperity, health, and increase.
Even though it may be challenging, let’s continue to observe and celebrate His Feasts together as His people!
Richard Maisenbacher
Covenant Outreach Ministries, Inc.
www.info@thecovenantcenter.com
PO Box 524, Lakeland, Fl. 33802-05224