Counting the Omer – A season of anticipation
After the resurrection of Mashiach on Yom HaBikkurim, Yeshua spent 40 days appearing to His talmidim and teaching them from the Tanach. The talmidim of Yeshua, being observant Yehudim, would have been counting the Omer with a renewed anticipation and excitement. After all their Master, Messiah and King had just displayed to them the mighty power of G-d when He rose from the dead. This must have injected the initially distraught band of talmidim with unbelievable joy, hope and emunah. With that said, just imagine the excitement and renewed passion these talmidim had as they counted the omer each night. They did not understand fully what was going to happen as a result of Mashiach;s rising from the dead, but they undoubtedly were very excited and charged with anticipation. As someone once said, “expectation is the breeding ground of faith.” It is in this faith charged atmosphere that the talmidim of Yeshua spent the next 50 days as they counted the Omer and encountered the Risen Messiah. Like Yeshua’s talmidim, we can be expectant and filled with excitement about the Scriptures, our faith, and our role in the Malchut Elohim.
We have been counting the Omer since Saturday, April 16. So let us talk about where we can focus in the next 40+ days of counting. (This is an interactive Bible study post with questions for you to mediate on or discuss with a friend or family member.)
Anticipating the harvest
Naturally speaking counting the Omer is done with anticipation of the harvest of wheat that takes place at Shavuot. However, the talmidim of Yeshua would soon come to realize, albeit slowly, that the Mashiach was interested in a harvest for sure, but not of grain but of men.
“Yes, indeed! I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just a grain; but if it dies, it produces a big harvest.” Yochanan 12.24
“Yeshua said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men!” Mattityahu 4.19
“Yeshua said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you into fishers for men!” Mark 1.17 (make you become)
“Therefore, go and make people from all nations into talmidim, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Ruach HaKodesh,” Mattityahu 28.19
What were the talmidim anticipating?
What were the results of their anticipation? Read Acts 2:41
What attitude or element do you think contributed to their success?
Anticipating the power of Adonai.
We can see this very clearly as we investigate the scriptures. Yeshua was preparing His talmidim for the immersion of the Ruach Kodesh. This was prophesied through the Nevi’im (prophets). Yeshua was declaring that the day of what the prophets wrote about was upon them.
Act 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!”
What is the purpose of this power?
What is this immersion in the Ruach?
What pattern do we see in the first century kehilah in terms of the power of G-d in their midst? Look at what happened in these chapters.
Acts 3 – Healing of the crippled man
Acts 4- Boldness of talmidim before Sanhedrin
Acts 5 -Discernment to Kefa concerning Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 9 -Raising of Tavita from the dead
Anticipation of Transformation.
Read what Yeshua Promised – Acts 1:8
This promise of power was a promise of transformation.
What had the talmidim been doing before Yeshua appeared to them after His resurrection? Read John 20.19.
How did things change once they encountered the Ruach HaKodesh? Read Acts 4:31, 33.
Think of Kefa – we often speak of his transformation at Shavuot time. What did he do when Yeshua was on trial – He denied Him three times. Who did Yeshua use to preach that first message after the outpouring of the Ruach? Kefa
What area of your life do you need transformed? What promise in the Word can you stand on for your transformation as you count the Omer this year looking forward to Shavuot. May there be great excitement and anticipation in your hearts as you count the Omer this year.
Blessings,
Rabbi Carol
Here is a link to our Omer calendar so you can count with us this year.