9am and 3pm

9am and 3pm. Two times a day a sacrifice was given at the temple. The priest would sound the shofar (rams horn) so that the people would know that the daily sacrifice was beginning. This sacrifice was for the sins of the people. People would have probably stopped to say a prayer and be reminded of God's forgiving grace. It would also be repeated at 3pm.

When we look at the death of Christ, Mark gives us a time frame, "third hour". It was customary to begin the day at 6am, thus placing Christ being nailed to the cross around 9am or "third hour", approximately the same time the first sacrifice was being done at the temple. Christ death was recorded at the "ninth hour" which would have been at 3pm...the same time the final sacrifice at the temple was being done! While man was laying a perfect lamb on the altar to be sacrificed for the sins of the people, God was laying his Son on the "altar" as a sacrifice for you and me, at the same time. May this Easter be more than just a time with family and friends, but may we reflect on God's love for us. May we reflect on the resurrection of our Savior who has conquered death and given us hope. Through Christ death and resurrection, we can live in confidence knowing, that when we ask God's forgiveness for our sins... He is just to forgive them.


You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:6-8



Maybe you feel you are hundred miles from God. You feel powerless or maybe there is an area in your life that draws you away from God. Whatever it may be, always remember that over 2000 years ago a sacrifice was given on your behalf at 3pm... the final sacrifice! And if you are feeling far from God, fight your way back and see what God will do! I challenge you to take some time and give thanks for the meaning of this season.

Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice and resurrection...to you be the glory!

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

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