From the Counting of the Omer to Shavuot (Pentecost)
The Risen Jesus (Yeshua) walked on the earth for 40 days during the month of Iyar (April-May). The 49 days of the Counting of the Omer is also this month and it culminates on the 50th Day with descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
Yeshua (Jesus) was crucified on Passover and rose from the dead on the third day. He was resurrected during the same time that the Jewish people were beginning one of God’s Appointed Times called the Counting the Omer. In 2020, the 49 days began in the evening of Thursday, April 9 and ends in the evening of Thursday, May 28, 2020.
NOTE:
- The Counting the Omer refers to the 49-day period between the second night of Passover (Pesach) and Feast of Weeks (Shavuot).
- The 50th day is the beginning of Feast of Weeks (Shavuot)
- The 50th day is what Christians called Pentecost (Latin for 50th) and it commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), as described in the book of Acts.
Acts 1:3 in the Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) 3 After his death he showed himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. During a period of forty days they saw him, and he spoke with them about the Kingdom of God.
During this time of the Counting of the Omer the risen savior Yeshua walked with His followers for precisely 40 of the 50 days that are in the period called Counting of the Omer. This means for almost six weeks after the crucifixion on Passover and the Resurrection, the disciples were with risen Yeshua/Jesus learning about the Kingdom of God!
Pentecost – On the 50th day, the beginning of Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), the followers of the risen Messiah had gathered in the Upper Room to celebrate Shavuot in Jerusalem. This was a celebration of the anniversary of the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Torah in English means “Instruction, Teaching or “Law”. Yeshua (Jesus) had instructed His disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised. They were studying Torah, God’s Word or Teachings in the Upper Room, when the Holy Spirit fell upon them, giving them the power to speak in every language and to teach the gospel of Yeshua (Jesus) to the crowds of people who had come to Jerusalem from various countries for the Pilgrimage Festival of the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot).
Acts 1: 4-9 Tree of Life Version
4) Now while staying with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father promised—which, He said, “you heard from Me. 5) For John immersed with water, but you will be immersed in the Ruach ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit) not many days from now.” 6) So when they gathered together, they asked Him, “Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”7) He said to them, “It is not your place to know the times or seasons which the Father has placed under His own control.
8)But you will receive power when the Ruach ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit) has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and through all Judah, and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9)After saying all this—while they were watching—He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Christian Connection: The Purpose of Counting of the Omer
Again, here we see the clear pattern of GOD’s Appointed Times on the Biblical Calendar being directly connected to HIS great works and the Messiah Yeshua. There is an full explanation on Beth Adonia.com which highlights the purpose of counting is to remind us of the link between Passover, which commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, the Hebrews escape from the physical bondage of slavery, to Shavuot, 49 days (seven weeks) later that commemorates God’s giving of the Torah (holy instructions for living) on Mount Sinai which spiritually freed the Hebrews from a culture and lifestyle of idolatry.
Today, for Christian Believers this season holds even greater importance because we begin counting from the day that Yeshua freed us from sin through His shed blood with His death and resurrection at Passover, to Shavuot, the 50th Day when He sent the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) down into the Upper Room on Shavuot, also known as Pentecost, which is our seal of freedom for all eternity. It is a promise or guarantee of the Believer’s future, eternal inheritance with Yeshua (Jesus Christ)
John 14:15-17 / Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit:
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17) the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.
Remember, it was during this 49-day period that Yeshua (Jesus) came out of the tomb, showed His resurrected body to others, walked the earth for 40 days teaching the Kingdom for God and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. At the end of this period, on the 50th day, the Holy Spirit was sent to the believers who were waiting in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. (See Acts Chapter 2.)
This is the spirit filled, action-packed 50 days that changed the world forever! Personally, I weep inside, realizing I spent years not acknowledging this important time of the Counting the Omer. We all know Yeshua, the risen savior walked on the earth, but we often do not make the connection that this is another Appointed Time commanded by God that HE used to perform some of HIS greatest works! Living proof that Yeshua/Jesus is the Messiah, the true Son of God!
