The Day of Atonement for Christians

This week, we have a break from the weekly Torah Portions as the Jewish community celebrates some of God's holy feasts. This week, on Thursday is Yom Kippur, יוֹם כִּפּוּר (Day of Atonement), the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Why is this day so special? Because, according to Leviticus 16, this is the one day of the year that Israel can enter the holiest place in the tabernacle. Israel, represented by the High Priest, is allowed access to the Holy of Holies. The location where the ark of the covenant resides and where Adonai's presence is amongst the people. It is the day, through an elaborate and very complex ritual, where a sacrifice for atonement is made for the entire nation for the entire year. I hope the picture of why this day is so special is starting to become evident. The fate of the entire nation for an entire year rests on a single man performing this ritual with exact precision.

Today, in the absence of the temple, the ritual has become a lot more personal. It began ten days ago with Rosh Ha'Shanah, the Jewish celebration of the new year. This celebration is followed by ten days of repentance and often fasting, where the people reflect on their past year as individuals and as a nation. For a devout Jewish man, everything hinges on this day of atonement. It will dictate for themselves and the entire nation if it will be a year of blessing or a year of curse. Therefore, they take it very seriously. This is something we can learn from as Christians. We often want revival and blessings, but never count the cost or the sacrifice Adonai requires to grant us this era of revival and blessings. We have gotten "used" to being lazy and relaxed with the things of God. It is a dangerous place to be when we make holy things common. When we become too "familiar" with a God who is holy and demands holiness. Where and when do we learn balance? It is difficult to understand that through Yeshua (Jesus), we have become family and gained access to the Holy of Holies at any time, but still understand that access is still through a proper way.

"Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:19-25

This liberty comes at a price and shouldn't be taken lightly. A warning that follows in verse 26 on:

"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:26-29

He will come like a thief in the night. However, the signs are clear, and we will not be taken by surprise. Be alert!

What does this day represent for the Christian faith? It is, believe it or not, a significant day for us as well. The word atonement in Hebrew, Kippur, actually means "covering". It is the day our sins were covered by God's grace on the cross, as Yeshua, who is our High Priest, was also the "scapegoat" that our sins were placed upon. This celebration and ritual described in Leviticus 16 is so filled with symbolism and meaning that a book can be written to explain all the nuances fulfilled by Adonai through Yeshua. On a high level, this day is symbolic of the day our sins were not just covered and forgiven, but completely erased. It is the day Yeshua proclaimed, "it is finished" or "paid in full" (see verse John 19:30). Moreover, it is a day in the future, also as a fulfillment and conclusion of the fall feasts. Beginning with Yom Terruah (Rosh Ha'Shanah) when the trumpets will blast as the LORD lifts us from this earth (rapture), followed by the day of Judgement (Yom Kippur), culminating with the millennial kingdom of Yeshua on earth (Sukkot). It is indeed a day that all Christians also look forward to, but it is known as a different event. The day every Christian longs for: the return of Christ.

Our hearts yearn for this day as the birth pains become increasingly more difficult. Our hearts and minds yell "Bo Yeshua" (come Jesus) as we see the world becoming more and more wicked. Meditate on the importance of this day for us as believers in Yeshua. He is near! Do not take it lightly and join me in examining your heart and setting it straight with the LORD. Have a blessed week, beloved church. I love you all. Shalom Ve'Shavuah Tov.

"Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and safety,' destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober." 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6