The Bible does not specifically mention the month of March, as the Hebrew calendar months differ from the Gregorian calendar. However, in the biblical context, March often corresponds to the month of Nisan, which is significant for events such as the Passover and the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, symbolizing liberation and the beginning of a new season.
Scripture
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
2 “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.
3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household.
4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb.
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old.
6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.
7 Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.
9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts.
10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn.
11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.
12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord.
13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
14 “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.”
Biblical Significance of March
While the month of March is not explicitly referred to in the Bible, it correlates with Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar, which holds profound significance. This month is critical as it marks the time of the Passover, a pivotal event commemorated in Exodus 12:1-14, where God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. The significance of this liberation is not only historical but also theological, representing spiritual redemption and the promise of new beginnings. The Passover symbolizes the transition from bondage to freedom, encapsulating the essence of faith and God’s saving grace, as reflected in later Christian theology through the sacrifice of Jesus, often referred to as the Paschal Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Moreover, Nisan is also associated with the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8), representing a time of purification and spiritual renewal. This dual significance highlights the broader biblical theme of transition and growth, where the arrival of spring signifies hope, rebirth, and the assurance of God’s continuous presence in the process of shaping His people. Aligning the transition of seasons with spiritual awakenings, the lessons associated with Nisan encourage believers to reflect on their relationship with God, to embrace change, and to participate in the unfolding plan of salvation. Thus, while March may not directly feature in biblical text, its association with transformative events in the life of the Israelites invites a richer understanding of renewal and divine providence in the believer’s journey.
In addition to its association with Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Nisan is also a time when significant events in the life of Jesus Christ occurred. According to various Gospel accounts, it is during this time of year that Jesus entered Jerusalem in what is known as the Triumphal Entry, celebrated on Palm Sunday, which falls on the Sunday before Easter. This event marked the beginning of the Passion Week, leading to the crucifixion and resurrection. The implications of these events in the month of Nisan resonate deeply throughout Christianity, as they fulfill Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and signify a pivotal shift in the covenant between God and humanity.
Furthermore, as a season reflecting the blossoming of nature, the month of March, in its connection to Nisan, can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual growth and renewal. Throughout the Bible, spring is often portrayed as a time of planting seeds, both literally and metaphorically. In the agricultural societies of ancient Israel, the first fruits of the harvest held tremendous importance, as seen in the offerings commanded by God. This practice symbolizes the commitment of the people to acknowledge God’s provision and the expectation of future blessings. For contemporary believers, this theme of fruitful living resonates and encourages the cultivation of a vibrant faith life—one that bears witness to transformation and God’s enduring faithfulness. Thus, the biblical significance ascribed to the month traditionally associated with Nisan calls forth a response of gratitude and an active engagement in spiritual practices that foster personal and communal renewal.
The Arrival of Spring and Renewal
March marks the transition from winter to spring in many cultures, symbolizing renewal and rebirth. In the biblical context, this season often represents a time of new beginnings and the restoration of life. The themes of resurrection and hope are prevalent, as seen in the agricultural cycles that reflect God’s provision and the promise of new life. This period can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual renewal, encouraging believers to reflect on their faith and the transformative power of God.
Preparation for Passover
March often coincides with the preparation for Passover, a significant event in the Jewish calendar that commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. This time of preparation emphasizes themes of deliverance, sacrifice, and redemption. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the importance of remembering and celebrating His acts of salvation. The anticipation of Passover invites believers to engage in self-examination and repentance, fostering a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey.
The Call to Spiritual Awakening
As March heralds the arrival of spring, it can also symbolize a call to spiritual awakening. This period encourages individuals to awaken from spiritual slumber and to seek a deeper relationship with God. The changing of the seasons serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the importance of being attentive to one’s spiritual growth. It invites believers to embrace the opportunities for growth and transformation that come with the new season, fostering a renewed commitment to their faith and community.
How to Embrace Spiritual Growth and Renewal in Faith
Embracing spiritual growth and renewal in your faith is a beautiful journey that requires intentionality and openness to God’s transformative work in your life. Start by carving out time for prayer and reflection, allowing yourself to be still in His presence; this is where you can hear His voice most clearly. Dive into Scripture daily, not just as a routine, but as a way to encounter the living Word that speaks to your heart and guides your steps. Surround yourself with a community of believers who encourage and challenge you, as fellowship can ignite your passion for growth. Remember, it’s okay to ask questions and wrestle with doubts—these moments can lead to deeper understanding and a more profound relationship with Christ. Lastly, be willing to step out of your comfort zone, whether through service, sharing your faith, or simply being vulnerable with others; these acts of obedience can lead to incredible renewal in your spirit. Embrace this journey with joy, knowing that God is continually shaping you into the person He created you to be.
Bible References to March’s Significance:
Leviticus 23:5-8: 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord’s Passover.
6 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.
7 On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.
8 But you shall present a food offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.”
Numbers 9:1-14: 1 And the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying:
2 “Let the people of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time.
3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at twilight, you shall keep it at its appointed time; according to all its statutes and all its rules you shall keep it.
4 So Moses told the people of Israel that they should keep the Passover.
5 And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so the people of Israel did.
6 And there were certain men who were unclean through touching a dead body, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day.
7 And those men said to him, “We are unclean through touching a dead body. Why are we kept from bringing the Lord’s offering at its appointed time among the people of Israel?”
8 And Moses said to them, “Wait, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.”
9 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
10 “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If any one of you or of your descendants is unclean through touching a dead body, or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Passover to the Lord.”
11 In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight, they shall keep it.
12 They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break any of its bones; according to all the statute for the Passover they shall keep it.
13 But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and yet fails to keep the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people because he did not bring the Lord’s offering at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.
14 And if a stranger sojourns among you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its rule, so shall he do. You shall have one statute, both for the sojourner and for the native.”
Deuteronomy 16:1-8: 1 “Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to the Lord your God, for in the month of Abib the Lord your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
2 You shall offer the Passover sacrifice to the Lord your God, from the flock or the herd, at the place that the Lord will choose, to make his name dwell there.
3 You shall eat no leavened bread with it. Seven days you shall eat it with unleavened bread, the bread of affliction—for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste—that all the days of your life you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.
4 And no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory for seven days, and none of the flesh that you sacrifice on the evening of the first day shall remain all night until morning.
5 You may not offer the Passover sacrifice within any of your towns that the Lord your God is giving you,
6 but at the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name dwell in it, there you shall offer the Passover sacrifice, in the evening at sunset, at the time you came out of Egypt.
7 You shall cook it and eat it at the place that the Lord your God will choose. And in the morning you shall turn and go to your tents.
8 Six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a solemn assembly to the Lord your God. You shall do no work on it.
Joshua 5:10-12: 10 And the people of Israel encamped at Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening on the plains of Jericho.
11 And the day after the Passover, on that very day, they ate of the produce of the land, unleavened cakes and parched grain.
12 And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.
2 Chronicles 30:1-27: 1 Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel.
2 For the king and his princes and all the assembly in Jerusalem had taken counsel to keep the Passover in the second month.
3 for they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not consecrated themselves in sufficient number, nor had the people assembled in Jerusalem.
4 The plan seemed right to the king and all the assembly.
5 So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that the people should come and keep the Passover to the Lord, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem, for they had not kept it as often as prescribed.
6 So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah with letters from the king and his princes, as the king had commanded, saying, “O people of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that he may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria.
7 Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were faithless to the Lord God of their fathers, so that he made them a desolation, as you see.
8 Do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who were faithless to the Lord God of their fathers, so that he made them a desolation, as you see.
9 For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”
10 So the couriers went from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them.
11 However, some men of Asher, of Manasseh, and of Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
12 The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.
13 And many people came together in Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month, a very great assembly.
14 They set to work and removed the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for burning incense they took away and threw into the Kidron Valley.
15 They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. And the priests and the Levites were ashamed, so they consecrated themselves and brought burnt offerings into the house of the Lord.
16 They took their accustomed posts according to the Law of Moses the man of God. The priests threw the blood that they received from the hand of the Levites.
17 For there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. So the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to consecrate it to the Lord.
18 For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord pardon everyone
19 that has set his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.”
20 And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
21 And the people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with all their might to the Lord.
22 And Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who showed good skill in the service of the Lord. So they ate the food of the festival for seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord, the God of their fathers.
23 And the whole assembly agreed to keep the feast for another seven days, and they kept it for another seven days with gladness.
24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave the assembly a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep for offerings, and the princes gave the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep. And the priests consecrated themselves in great numbers.
25 The whole assembly of Judah, and the priests and the Levites, and the whole assembly that came out of Israel, and the sojourners who came out of the land of Israel, and the sojourners who lived in Judah, rejoiced.
26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.
27 Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.
Ezra 6:19-22: 19 On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover.
20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves.
21 And the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to seek the Lord, the God of Israel, ate.
22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
John 2:13-22: 13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there.
15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.
16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”
17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?”
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?”
21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.
John 11:55-57: 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves.
56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?”
57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.
Matthew 26:17-30: 17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’”
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.
21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?”
23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me.
24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.
25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Mark 14:12-26: 12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?”
13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him,
14 And wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’
15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.”
16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve.
18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.”
19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?”
20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me.
21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.”
23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.
24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Luke 22:7-20: 7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.”
9 And they said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?”
10 And he said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters.
11 and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’
12 And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.”
13 And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
14 And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him.
15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
16 for I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves.
18 for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
20 And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
1 Corinthians 5:6-8: 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26: 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.