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I wanted to preserve the moment forever. Failing to capture it with my camera, I eventually just froze and allowed the image to burn into my mind. The memory remains; I hope it never fades. I’d witnessed the super-sized Passover moon shining over Nazareth. I stood on the hostel balcony stunned by its brilliance as it illuminated the homes below. I ached to wrap my arms around it. I thought of Jesus gazing at that same Passover moon as it shone over His Nazarene village. I treasured that shared experience, as well as the wonder a full moon brings on a clear night.
Ezra records the celebration of another Passover. It was the first Passover celebration of the Jews who had returned to Israel from exile in Persia. Their captors had set them free, just as Pharaoh had freed their ancestors in Egypt.
On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover. The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were all ceremonially clean. The Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their relatives the priests and for themselves. So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the LORD, the God of Israel (Ezra 6:19-21, NIV).
I love the distinction of that last phrase: together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the LORD, the God of Israel. God had created a people for Himself and called them out of Egypt. God used the Passover celebration as a remembrance of the night the Death Angel passed over the homes where the blood of a lamb marked the doorposts. The rebellion of later generations and their captivity in Persia had brought them to repentance. Their trials had prepared their hearts to celebrate and seek the Lord God of Israel once again in the promised land. They chose to separate themselves from the culture around them and to seek the LORD, the God of Israel.
Things changed dramatically for Jews and Gentiles, though, when Jesus sacrificed Himself as the true Passover lamb. Because Jesus died for the sins of all people I am able, as a Gentile, to worship the one true God. I’m ceremonially cleansed by Christ’s blood. I do not worship Yahweh through priests and a sacrificial system, but through Jesus, His Son. Descendants of the Jews Ezra wrote about lived in Nazareth and were witnessing that amazing Passover moon. I prayed that evening that many would join with the Christians who lived among them and worship Jesus Christ as the true Passover lamb sent from God.
I’m reminded of a verse in Psalm 89 written by Ethan, a wise man who probably served in King David’s court. In Ethan’s psalm, God spoke of His love and faithfulness to King David. God reminded David that He would be faithful to the covenant made with him. God then points to the moon as a symbol of His faithfulness: “His dynasty will go on forever; his kingdom will endure as the sun. It will be as eternal as the moon, my faithful witness in the sky!” (Psalm 89:36-37, NLT). Jesus would have known of Ethan’s reference to the moon. I wondered if He experienced the moon as a reminder of His Father’s faithfulness, as I often do.
I love to recite my Grandmother’s rhyme about the moon to my granddaughters: “I see the moon and the moon sees me. God bless the moon and God bless me.” More importantly I teach them that He is trustworthy; I tell them of the many ways He demonstrates His steadfastness to us. When they notice a brilliant moon I want them to remember God’s faithfulness, just as I was reminded that evening in Nazareth.
Though years have passed, the truth continues to comfort me in the most surprising moments. Each time the moon shines through the treetops or peeks through the bedroom curtains, I sense God’s gentle reminder—that He will be faithful to walk with me through the challenge that steals my sleep. I smile and whisper a “thank you” to the One who frees from captivity, keeps covenants, and reminds me of His faithfulness.
Linda Lesniewski
Linda served as Women’s Minister at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, TX for 24 years. She has authored "A Little Book About Knowing a Big God" for children; "Women at the Cross" and "Connecting Women: A Guide for Leaders in Women’s Ministry", by Revell; as well as "His Story My Story", a digital download available from LifeWay. Linda enjoys spending time with her four young adult children and six granddaughters. She has served on the Womenary Board of Directors for many years.
You can contact Linda at lindalesniewski49@gmail.com. 
