A woman was getting swamped with calls from strangers. The reason? A medical billing service had launched an 800 number that was identical to hers. When she called to complain, she was told to get a new number.

“I’ve had my number for twenty years,” she pleaded. “Couldn’t you change yours?” The company refused, so the woman said, “Fine. From now on, I’m going to tell everyone who calls that their bill is paid in full.”

The company got a new number the next day.

This is the day on the church calendar when we celebrate the good news that our bill is paid in full. Christ died for our sins. He paid it all. This is the day above all others when we commemorate Christ’s death on the cross of Calvary.

Writer Robert C. Shannon tells a fascinating story about a nineteenth century emperor of Abys…