“We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” - Hebrews 10:10
The Bible tells us that Jesus drew his final breath at three o’clock in the afternoon (Luke 23:44-46). While this may not seem significant to us, it would have been an important time in Jerusalem. Why? Because it was the time of the afternoon sacrifice. AND because it was during Passover week, Passover lambs would have been sacrificed at the Temple at that time.
It was customary also for the priest to blow a shofar at the time of the sacrifice, which was a ram’s horn. So picture that scene: Around the same time that Jesus took his last breath, the shofar could be heard. At the sound of the horn, people would stop what they were doing and fall silent for a few moments. And in that time of silence, Jesus died.
As the Passover lambs were sacrificed in the Temple, the Lamb of God was sacrificed on the cross. In God’s plan, never again would an afternoon sacrifice be needed. This was just as John the Baptist had prophesied: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Through Jesus’ one sacrifice, all who believe are forgiven and made holy forever.
To make sure Jesus was dead, a soldier jammed his spear into Jesus’ side, “bringing a sudden flow of blood and water” (John 19:34). That blood was the blood of forgiveness for you and me—and for all who trust in Christ alone for their salvation. What was a shadow before had now been revealed.
This section of scripture is both the exclamation point and the bridge. It is the exclamation point to everything we have covered with this incredibly deep theology, and it is the bridge to how we are to live as a result (the practical side that we will begin talking about next week). My prayer is that God will grant us the strength to press into these things. Why? Because Christ’s sacrifice is better, it moves us to worship and live differently.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Aaron
The Bible tells us that Jesus drew his final breath at three o’clock in the afternoon (Luke 23:44-46). While this may not seem significant to us, it would have been an important time in Jerusalem. Why? Because it was the time of the afternoon sacrifice. AND because it was during Passover week, Passover lambs would have been sacrificed at the Temple at that time.
It was customary also for the priest to blow a shofar at the time of the sacrifice, which was a ram’s horn. So picture that scene: Around the same time that Jesus took his last breath, the shofar could be heard. At the sound of the horn, people would stop what they were doing and fall silent for a few moments. And in that time of silence, Jesus died.
As the Passover lambs were sacrificed in the Temple, the Lamb of God was sacrificed on the cross. In God’s plan, never again would an afternoon sacrifice be needed. This was just as John the Baptist had prophesied: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Through Jesus’ one sacrifice, all who believe are forgiven and made holy forever.
To make sure Jesus was dead, a soldier jammed his spear into Jesus’ side, “bringing a sudden flow of blood and water” (John 19:34). That blood was the blood of forgiveness for you and me—and for all who trust in Christ alone for their salvation. What was a shadow before had now been revealed.
This section of scripture is both the exclamation point and the bridge. It is the exclamation point to everything we have covered with this incredibly deep theology, and it is the bridge to how we are to live as a result (the practical side that we will begin talking about next week). My prayer is that God will grant us the strength to press into these things. Why? Because Christ’s sacrifice is better, it moves us to worship and live differently.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Aaron
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