Tuesday morning for just a few seconds I watched the moon (either full or almost full) setting in the west. It was a clear day and the moon was a bright orange like it often is when the full moon rises. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.

It reminded me of the events of the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord.

We always have a full moon right before Easter. This is because our Easter celebration mirrors the Passover festival of the Jews.

Jesus was crucified during the festival of the Passover. The Jews of Jesus’ day had a lunar calendar. Christians (at least most Christians) have followed this practice of reckoning Easter.

Easter is determined in this way. Three main events come together to determine when Easter occurs. First, the spring equinox, which occurs each year March 20–21st. Then, the full moon. This, of course, can occur over a 28 day period. For this reason, Easter basically occurs between March 20 and April 20 each year. Third, after the spring equinox and the full moon, Easter is reckoned as the first Sunday after the full moon.

That’s what I saw Tuesday morning, and it’s why I thought of the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Today is a day to remember again–to celebrate the love of God expressed to us in the giving of His son, the Lord Jesus, on our behalf.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NLT).