Q. If we’re not doing sacrifices why are we celebrating the feasts?

A. This question comes out of several misconceptions about the Torah and obeying the Lord but it is a good question. This question has several aspects to it and they are, believe it or not, related so I’ll take one at a time. First of all, the sacrifices were a part of biblical worship. Numbers 28 and 29 describe what was offered in the daily Tamid service and all the festivals, new moons and Sabbaths. Biblical worship involved these offerings. When Abraham went to Mt. Moriah to offer Isaac he said they were going to “worship” the Lord (Gen. 22). They were not going there to sing songs and dance. The altar was where man did business with the Lord and it was a very serious thing. What passes for praise and worship today is not the total biblical ideal. Once the Lord gave Israel rest (from their enemies) and their inheritance (the land) He would choose a place for His name to dwell and it was there that they were to bring their offerings (Dt. 12.11). That place is Jerusalem and the Temple mount. Offerings were not to be given any other place from that time on. For 2000 years Israel has lost this privilege due to their disobedience to the message of Yeshua in the 1st century. Sacrifices are not offered right now because there is no altar. However, festivals can still be observed to some extent because they are appointments and rehearsals for things to come (Col 2.16-17). Themes, idioms, phrases and the eschatology of each biblical feast can still be explored and studied. Paul taught the Thessalonians about the festivals, times and seasons so that they would not be unaware concerning prophecy (1Thes 5.1-5). They were not going to the Temple, they lived in Thessalonica but they kept the festivals the best they could by observing the day, by study, prayer and fellowship. The Sabbath day involved the regular daily offerings and additional ones called a “mussaf”(Num 28.9-10). But, we cannot do any of that today but we can still observe the Sabbath and that mindset can be carried over with all the other festivals. When the Greeks took over the Temple during the time of the Maccabean revolt they brought their offerings and those who were Nazarites as close to the Temple as they could and asked God to deliver the Temple back into their hands so they could truly worship the Lord at the place He chose to place His name. They did not offer the sacrifices but went as far as they could, within sight of it. We can do the same thing today no matter where we are. The Temple and the altar is not there right now but we can go as far we can to remember what was done and what it all meant until the day these sights are restored to God’s people, both Jew and Gentile. Ultimately there will be no need for a Temple (Rev.21.22) but that comes at the end of the Messianic Kingdom when everything has been restored and believers will be experiencing the reality of the New Covenant in its fullness (Jer. 31.31-34). That day hasn’t come yet and we still need to teach our neighbor about the Lord, and it will be that way in the Messianic Kingdom. Another aspect to this is there is no functioning priesthood in existence at this time. Even if you had an altar you would still need the kohanim (priests). A misconception with many is that a Temple is needed to offer sacrifices but that is not entirely true. What you need is the true altar sight on Mount Moriah and a functioning priesthood with kosher animals (Ezra 3.6). The good news is once Yeshua returns, the altar and the Temple will be restored, a legitimate priesthood will be installed and the festivals will be celebrated again with all the prescribed sacrifices. Yes, that’s right. Animal sacrifices will be offered in the Messianic Kingdom when Yeshua returns. They were offered in the 1st century by believers in Yeshua (Acts 21.15-26, 24.17) and they will be offered again (Ezek. chapters 40-48; Isa 56.6-8). I hope this gives you some additional insight and helps answer your question.