Spring is Coming

Withevery spring comes a reminder that life doesn’t end in wintertime for those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Scripture is vague about the date of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. And “no one knows” when he’ll return, not even the angels. (Matthew 24:36)

But it’s very clear that Jesus died and rose from the dead during the ancient Jewish Passover feast, which then, as now, began in early spring.

Passover commemorates the Jews’ miraculous release from four centuries of Egyptian bondage after God, working in Moses, sent 10 plagues to Egypt. Fifty days later is Shavuot, which marks Moses’ presentation of God’s law.

“Passover” refers to the 10th plague, when the firstborn of every household in Egypt died, except in homes marked with blood from a sacrificial spring lamb. The angel of death “passed over” those homes. (Exodus 12)

Likewise, Christians are spared from eternal death by the blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God. On Easter we celebrate his resurrection and 50 days later, on Pentecost (pente means 50) we celebrate the birth of Christianity, when God gave holy spirit to all who believe in Christ, Jew and non-Jew alike.

Dates for Passover and Easter are tied to the lunar calendar, making them “movable feasts.”

Jesus was crucified soon after sharing a Passover meal (seder) with his 12 disciples in Jerusalem. After his resurrection, he remained on earth in his new spiritual body 40 days. (Acts 1)

“If the spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through His spirit that dwells in you.” Romans 8:11(NIV)

Just as winter’s deathly grasp is temporary, so, too, is our mortality.

Upon his return, the dead in Christ will rise and “we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air … Therefore encourage one another with these words.” Thessalonians 4:17 & 18 (NIV) ❚

- Janine Pumilia