The Cost

For hundreds and even thousands of years, God instructed His people to make a sacrifice to "cover over" their sins. These sacrifices occurred every day at 9 AM and 3 PM - and were announced by the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn trumpet). These sacrifices were only to be a reminder to them of the payment He had promised to make on their behalf. Their debt had not yet been paid. They couldn't pay it. But He had promised redemption and every day they were reminded that God would soon fulfill the debt that they could not. The Passover sacrifice included a special remembrance of how God had saved His people from death and delivered them from slavery. Literally "calling them out" from bondage.

On the day we call "Good Friday", Jesus was crucified at 9AM. At exactly 3PM, when the shofar was blown, He announced "It is finished!" and died.

What was finished?

The suffering?

The crucifixion?

Could it be that the whole sacrificial system was now fulfilled? The reminders were no longer necessary since the sacrifice they were pointing to had been accomplished. The price had been paid.

As I contemplate the importance of remembering this day, my heart is grateful for the sacrifice that was paid. For the voice that "called me out" of bondage and saved me from death and slavery. I don't want to remember just today, but every day. What can be my daily "shofar" to call me to remembrance of Christ's sacrifice on a daily basis?

Give me eyes to see and ears to hear the reminders You have put in my life, so that I may never forget.

4 Responses

  1. Alynne Golding
    I ran across a note recently that the word Jesus used for 'finished' is the same word used in accounting to mean that an invoice has been paid. I love this reminder of what should be my daily 'shofar', Jen. Thanks.
  2. Nick
    Great reminder!!! Love that He offered the first sin sacrifice (the animal to cover Adam and Eve) and the last (Jesus).
  3. Charlene
    Jen, this is such a good question. How do we remember EVERY DAY? I was just talking to a friend about the same concept relative to taking communion...it's good to let it touch you and have "emotion" in that moment...but even better to hold on to that the next day and the next...such a challenge for me/us sometimes, right?
  4. Jen
    Yes! God knew that we needed constant reminders - not just once a year - not even once a day! But twice a day - He calls the attention back and says "remember". Remember the invoice has been paid (thanks for picture Alynne). Its a fact that should guide our actions and not just our emotions.

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