Hebrews Part 1: Shallow ChristianitySýnishorn

Jesus: Our Great High Priest

In the Old Testament, one of the most significant events in Israel’s worship was the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), laid out in Leviticus 16. It was God’s way of addressing the sin problem between His holiness and humanity’s rebellion. Central to that sacred day were two goats, symbolizing two key doctrines that Jesus would ultimately fulfill as our eternal High Priest.

The First Goat: Propitiation

This goat was slaughtered as a sin offering. Its blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat inside the Holy of Holies to satisfy God’s wrath against sin. Theologically, this is called propitiation—where God’s just anger toward sin is turned away because a substitute took the punishment in our place.

The Second Goat: Expiation

The second goat, known as the scapegoat, was not killed. Instead, the high priest symbolically transferred the sins of the people onto it and sent it far into the wilderness. This represents expiation—the removal of our sins so we are no longer defined by guilt, shame, or condemnation.

Though there were two goats, only one slaughter was required, just like there is only one Savior. Jesus Christ fulfills both roles: He is the sacrificial Lamb who took the wrath of God and the scapegoat who takes our sins far away, never to be counted against us again.

Hebrews 2:17-18 (ESV) and 4:14-15 (ESV) confirm that Jesus is the perfect High Priest. Unlike any before Him, He is both the priest and the offering. He sympathizes with our weaknesses, has endured temptation, and remains sinless. As our mediator, He doesn’t just perform rituals—He rescues souls.

If you’ve ever doubted your cleansing or questioned whether God has really forgiven your past, remember this: Jesus bled for your propitiation and carried your shame for your expiation. The wrath has been removed, and your record has been wiped clean.

Do you believe that Jesus has fully satisfied God’s wrath and completely removed your sin, and how is that truth shaping the way you live today?