We have just come through a season of celebrations. Each celebration came with a reason and purpose. In November, we celebrated Veteran's Day for the sacrifices that the military made to defend our country and Thanksgiving for the pilgrims' survival of a harsh winter and their first harvest in America. In December, we celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Then in January, we celebrate the New Year and the Chinese New Year.
The God of the Bible is the God of celebrations. In the Old Testament, God gave Israel seven different feasts- each with their own meaning. For example, Passover was to commemorate God bringing Israel out of Egypt. Pentecost was a time of thanking God for the abundant harvest. The Day of Atonement was a solemn holy day to remind Israel the importance of confessing sin. These feasts were designed to keep Israel connected and in a right relationship with a holy God. They also served as analogies to the redemptive work of Christ (for example, Jesus was the unblemished Passover Lamb that was sacrificed for our sins).
In the New Testament, Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper to commemorate the sacrifice He would make to enable believers to be reconciled to a holy God. Jesus also commanded baptism (Matthew 28:19-20). The Apostle Paul later explains that baptism serves as a word picture of believers being united in Christ in death (submersion into the water) and resurrection (emersion out of the water) (Romans 6:3-4). These celebrations remind us of our salvation by grace through faith in Jesus' finished work on the Cross.
How else can we celebrate our relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ? Consider these verses:
Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise— the fruit of lips that confess his name.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 12:4-6 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.
Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
-Pastor Philip Gee
