ONCE upon a time, long before clocks, humans measured the passage of time by observing the sky and its celestial bodies, such as the sun, the moon and the stars. The Sun could be used to tell hours through its shadows; the Moon, with its changing phases, was used to count days; and the stars revealed months as they shifted from one place to another in the sky across different seasons. Nowadays however, we can tell the time with a simple glance at our wristwatch or by looking at a wall clock.
One definition of ‘Time’ is “a particular period during which something happens.” And one of the synonyms for time is: ‘Season’. ‘Season’ may be defined as “a period of year characterized by a particular activity, event, or festivity.” The word ‘Season’ is also used to refer to one of the four main parts of the year including: Spring (characterized by warmer weather and blooming flowers, which occurs in the Northern Hemisphere (USA, Europe, Asia, etc.) roughly from March to June; and in the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, South Africa, South America, etc.), from September to December); Summer (the season between spring and autumn, characterized by hot, sunny weather and longer days, and which generally spans June to August in the Northern Hemisphere and December to February in the Southern Hemisphere); Autumn/Fall (the season between summer and winter, characterized by cooler weather and changing colours and falling off of tree leaves, spanning September to November in the Northern Hemisphere and March to May in the Southern Hemisphere); and Winter (characterized by cold weather and snowfall, and typically spanning December to February in the Northern Hemisphere, and June to August in the Southern Hemisphere). Examples of other seasons include: Rainy Season (a time with heavy rain and storms); and Dry Season (a yearly period of low rainfall).
So, what ‘time’, or ‘season’, is it currently? Is it springtime, summertime, autumn/fall, winter time, or is it the rainy season or the dry season? The answer to that question largely depends on the area where you are currently located. However, to answer that question in a spiritual context, and regardless of the area where you are currently located, it is currently the time, or season, when we especially remember the greatest act of love that the only true God, Jehovah, has shown to mankind.
“What is this greatest act of love?” you may ask. Let God’s Word, the Bible itself, tell us. In the Bible Book of John, Chapter 3, Verse 16, we read: “For God loved the world so much that He gave His only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” Yes! We are currently in the time, or season, when we commemorate the Memorial of Jesus’ Death, just as Christ Jesus himself commanded, as recorded in the Bible Book of Luke 22:19. Jesus Christ gave his life as a propitiatory sacrifice, a means of appeasement, a ransom in exchange for many. (Matthew 20:28; and 1st John 4:9, 10).
In obedience to Jesus’ command, Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Memorial of Jesus’ Death (otherwise referred to as ‘The Lord’s Evening Meal’) once every year, after sundown on Nisan 14, according to the reckoning of the Jewish calendar that was common in the first century. The Jewish day begins at sundown and extends until the following sundown. So Jesus died on the same Jewish calendar day that he instituted the memorial. The beginning of the month of Nisan was the sunset after the new moon nearest the spring equinox became visible in Jerusalem. The Memorial date is 14 days thereafter. (Thus the date for the Memorial may not coincide with that of the Passover kept by modern-day Jews. Why not? The start of their calendar months is set to coincide with the astronomical new moon, not the visible new moon over Jerusalem, which may come 18 to 30 hours later. Also, most Jews today keep the Passover on Nisan 15, not on the 14th as did Jesus in harmony with what was stated in the Mosaic Law.) (Source: ‘Reasoning From the Scriptures’ – a publication/book by Jehovah’s Witnesses. Look at the last paragraph, under “Memorial (Lord’s Evening Meal)” on pages 266 to 269; accessible on www.JW.org).
Therefore, this year, 2026, the Memorial of Jesus’ Death will be observed on Thursday evening, April 2, 2026, (after sundown), which corresponds to Nisan (Abib) 14 in the Jewish sacred calendar/ancient Hebrew calendar. (Note: In Moses’ time, God told His people that the religious year was to begin with the month of Abib, or Nisan, in the spring. (Exodus 12:2; 13:4) The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which took place in this month, involved the barley harvest.–Exodus 23:15, 16).
How can you demonstrate your appreciation/gratitude for God’s gift of the ransom? In addition to the advice/counsel/guidance we are given in the Bible Book of 1st John 4:7 – 12, Christ Jesus also instructed his disciples/followers to remember his death. (Luke 22:14 – 20)
You are warmly invited to join us as we commemorate the death of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome. You can come with your family. No collections, commitment or obligation.
To learn more about this very special event, and to find a location near you where you can attend, please visit: www.JW.org, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses. On this website, you can also find answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Memorial of Jesus’ Death.
We hope that you can join us for this special occasion. Thank you.
Daniel IGHAKPE.
+234 913 739 3829.
FESTAC Town, Lagos State, Nigeria.
