Yeshua (Jesus) was crucified on Passover as our Passover Lamb and His shed blood saved us from the death we deserved for all the sin in our lives. After Yeshua/Jesus rose from the grave three days later, the Bible tells us HE walked on the earth for 40 days. These miraculous appearances by the Resurrected Savior occurred during a 40-day period occurred during the called the Counting of the Omer; also referred to as the Feast of Weeks. This is the 49 days between Passover and Pentecost. The counting begins the day after Passover and counts seven weeks (49 days) to Shavuot or Pentecost which is Greek for 50th(day). This year Counting of the Omer in 2022 began in the evening of April 17 – (the day after Passover) and ends in the evening of June 5, 2022.
All Israel, including Yeshua/Jesus and the 12 disciples were commanded by God in the scriptures to count the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot (Pentecost) and on the 50th day they were to hold a one-day feast and holy assembly. This Appointed Time is established by GOD in the Bible in Leviticus 23:15-16; and Deuteronomy 16:9-16.
Leviticus 23:15-16 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
15 “‘From the day after the day of rest — that is, from the day you bring the sheaf for waving — you are to count seven full weeks, 16 until the day after the seventh week; you are to count fifty days; and then you are to present a new grain offering to Adonai.
Then, on the last day, the fiftieth day, (Pentecost or Shavuot) the people were to present a new grain offering from their harvest to the Lord along with a celebration, a sacred assembly.
Now remember, Yeshua was crucified on Passover and rose from the dead on the third day, which was approximately Nisan 16th, which was also Day 1 of the Counting of the Omer and the Feast of First-fruits. Originally, the Israelites were commanded to bring their omer of barley to the Temple as a wave offering on Day 1 of the Omer; this day was also known as First-fruits! Thus, the risen savior, Yeshua/Jesus became known as the First-fruits offering for all of us (1 Corinthians 15:20).
Miracle #1 — Yeshua rises from the grave, around Nisan 16th, which was also Day 1 of the Counting of the Omer
Miracle # 2 –– Yeshua appeared to His followers for 40 days, during the Counting of the Omer. “ giving many convincing proofs that he was alive and spoke about the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3). This means for almost seven weeks after the resurrection, the Risen Savior Yeshua/Jesus was walking the earth, teaching His disciples and preparing them for the 50th day. The scriptures say for 40 days, His followers talked, walked, and ate with the Risen Savior as He taught them about the coming Kingdom of God.
Miracle #3 — Yeshua announced the coming of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:4 At one of these gatherings, he instructed them not to leave Yerushalayim but to wait for “what the Father promised, which you heard about from me. 5 For Yochanan used to immerse people in water; but in a few days, you will be immersed in the Ruach HaKodesh!”
Miracle #4 –– Yeshua announced the great commission. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Ruach HaKodesh comes upon you; you will be my witnesses both in Yerushalayim and in all Y’hudah and Shomron, indeed to the ends of the earth!” Matthew 28:16-20, —16 So the eleven talmidim went to the hill in the Galil where Yeshua had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they prostrated themselves before him; but some hesitated. 18 Yeshua came and talked with them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.
Miracle #5 — Yeshua ascends to heaven on a cloud while the disciples watch in awe total! Acts 1:9 After saying this, he was taken up before their eyes; and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were staring into the sky after him, suddenly they saw two men dressed in white standing next to them. 11 The men said, “You Galileans! Why are you standing, staring into space? This Yeshua, who has been taken away from you into heaven, will come back to you in just the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
The Bible gives us some description of these events in Matthew 28:16–20, Mark 16:14–18, Luke 24:44–49, Acts 1:4–8, John 20:19–23 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-8. The Messiah has come but even today many followers of Yeshua / Jesus do not make the connection to this important time of the Counting the Omer and how Yeshua/Jesus has fulfilled it. Notice this is another Appointed Time commanded by God that HE used to perform great works! Living proof that Yeshua/Jesus is the Messiah, the true Son of God!
50TH DAY – PENTECOST – SHAVUOT
Shavuot is best known today as Pentecost (from the Greek word pente, meaning 50th ), the day on which the disciples received God’s Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). Shavuot is a special one-day holy convocation full of meaning and inspiration. At least three times God has used this special 50th day for milestone revelations to HIS peoples.
The Giving the Torah on Mount Sinai
(God’s Instruction)
The Giving of the Harvest at the Temple
(Earthly Provision)
The Giving of the Holy Spirit at the Upper Room
(Heavenly Provision of Spiritual Power)
So, the followers of Yeshua/Jesus waited in the Upper Room in Jerusalem praying together and continuing to Count the Omer until the 50th day arrived. In the Book of Acts, we find the rest of the story.
Acts 2:1–13 – Complete Jewish Bible
“1 The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. 5 Now there were staying in Yerushalayim religious Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered; they were confused, because each one heard the believers speaking in his own language. 7 Totally amazed, they asked, “How is this possible? Aren’t all these people who are speaking from the Galil? 8 How is it that we hear them speaking in our native languages? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Y’hudah, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome; 11 Jews by birth and proselytes; Jews from Crete and from Arabia. . . ! How is it that we hear them speaking in our own languages (tongues) about the great things God has done?” 12 Amazed and confused, they all went on asking each other, “What can this mean?” 13 But others made fun of them and said, “They’ve just had too much wine!”
Over the past 25 years I have made every effort to keep all the Appointed Times on the “Biblical Calendar.” Each year as I take time to observe HIS holy days, I gain a greater awareness of how these Appointed Times are a strong connection to the Heavenly Father. HIS holy days are designed to keep us focused on HIM and not the worries of this world. I will be counting the days with anticipation of the next miraculous event of GOD on HIS Biblical calendar.
