Nissan

Happy New Year everyone!! Well, I guess we just missed it. March 23rd is just another day for those of us who use the Gregorian calendar system. But, on the Hebrew calendar, the 23rd of March is the first day of a new year. Nissan 1. Rosh Chodesh.

God set the Jewish calendar in motion back in the Book of Exodus.

"The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, “This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year." - Exodus 12:1-2

The month of Nissan also contains Passover. It is when God told His people to smear lamb's blood on the lintels and jambs of their doors so the 'angel of death' would 'pass over' their house.

"Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs." - Exodus 12:7

And you can tell by these verses from EXODUS, it is also a time to celebrate God's people leaving Egypt. Wouldn't it be interesting if God chose to remove His people (Christians) from this world during the same month. Got your bags packed?

And here is something I didn't know. All of the patriarchs of the Jewish people - Abraham, Issac, and Jacob - all three were born in the month of Nissan. AND they all died in the month of Nissan!

Jesus Himself died in the month of Nissan. Many believe that Jesus was also born during the month of Nissan. That would seem to make sense. He IS the Passover Lamb.

Here's a verse from Jesus that tells us that He is the beginning and the end. Jesus is Nissan.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End." - Revelation 22:12-13

So, this is a time to celebrate for sure. It is also a time to be humble and to consider what it is that God is about to do. These are the words of Jesus:

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” - Luke 21:25-28

You can learn more about the Jewish New Year and the month of Nissan at the following link.

March 23rd - Chabad.org