SHOFAR FEASTS

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" …Matthew 27:45-46

Though used in conjunction with all the feasts, the shofar was most directly linked with the beginning of the Feast of Rosh Hashanah (Lev. 23:24). The shofar also called the Jewish community together for a time of remembrance, confession of sin, and preparation for the judgment to come on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), when the high priest went into the Most Holy Place and sought forgiveness for the nation's sins.

On Passover as well the priest climbed the Pinnacle Corner of the Temple and blew the shofar. Everybody in hearing distance, certainly in the Temple, heard the shofar and knew that at that moment the lamb was slain for the world. For many years - maybe since the time of Moses - this practice had occurred at exactly three o'clock.

Jesus death on the cross occurred at precisely the same time as the Shofar was being blown in the temple! Coincidence? I think not!

Prayer
Jesus, I know you have all things under control and planned out – even those things that at the time seem to be disastrous – finished! But it is in death that you bring life. Help me to die to myself so your life can live in me. Amen