By: Bill Watson / 5-18-26

It is commonly known within God’s Church that the waiving of the sheaf of firstfruits before the Lord on “the morrow after the Sabbath” (Lev 23:9-11) was a portrayal of Christ presenting Himself to His Father following His resurrection (John 20:17). This connection to Jesus Christ’s resurrection should erase any questions about which Sabbath Leviticus 23:11 is referencing. Christ fulfilled this ritual’s portrayal of first fruits because He is the “first of the first fruits” (1 Cor. 15:23).

Interestingly, this “Wave-Sheaf Day” continued to be observed forty days after what “traditional” Christians believe to be Easter Sunday. However, the celebration came to be known as “The Feast of Ascension.” It developed into a cherished feast and was promoted by many early Catholic (Universal Church) fathers. It grew to become a significant spiritual, devotional, and historical tradition. Its traditional value has remained so important to this day that even some Protestant denominations have retained its observance as part of their liturgical celebration.