Why does Easter change each year

The date of Easter changes

 Some years Easter is before the end of March, other years it's well through April, and it can be any weekend in between. What decides it is when there is a full moon after the spring equinox which is March 21st every year.

But why at the full moon in springtime? lt marks the time when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was crucified probably in the year 30 AD. That happened on the date of the Jewish Passover, a festival which was always held at the time of the first full moon after springtime began.

Sometimes the moon will be full soon after March 21st and that makes Easter early. Other years, if there's just been a full moon, it can be up to four weeks until it's full again, and Easter will be late.

By the light of the full moon Jesus was betrayed into the hands of His enemies, and crucified the next day. Amazingly, three days later He rose from the dead on what we now call Easter Sunday.

Absolutely nothing like this has happened before or since - and nothing so important. That is why it has been deliberately commemorated in these changing Easter dates year by year ever since

The message of Easter does not change

But some things have not changed. One thing is the sinfulness of man. The other thing is the love of God. These two came together when Jesus died on the cross at Calvary.

At the cross God showed how much He loves us by giving His own Son to pay the terrible price for our sin. The Bible says, "God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" [1]. The penalty for human sin was paid when Jesus died, for "'the wages of sin is death"[2]. He died so that we could be forgiven. If not forgiven, we would be condemned and lost for ever.

God loves each one of us and wants to save us from being lost in our sins, When the Lord Jesus Christ died He made it possible for you to be saved today.

But He also rose again. He actually defeated death and came out of His grave in mighty power. Because He is alive today He can be your Saviour now. If He had remained dead He could not do anything for us. But He is alive, and says the Bible, "He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him" [3].

This wonderful message of Easter has not changed over the years!

It can change us

This great unchanging message of Easter can change us. Or rather the One who died and rose again that first Easter - He can change us, but only if we are willing to be changed!

The change is deep seated. lt's not just trying to be better. lt's repenting, turning away from your sin and all the misery it brings, and actually accepting the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour. By trusting Him today you can obtain salvation
from sin and find real peace with God [4].

Bible verses quoted:
1. Romans 5.8        2. Romans 6.23       3. Hebrews 7.25
4. Romans 5.1