Yom Kippur - the Perfect Atonement: The Messiah's Sacrificeಮಾದರಿ

The Biblical Day of Atonement

The Torah (Pentateuch) establishes Yom Kippur as the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It was the only day of the year on which the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place to make atonement for his own sins and for the sins of all the people. The ritual involved the sacrifice of a bull and two goats, one of which was the "goat for Azazel" (the scapegoat), which carried all the sins of the people into a desolate place in the desert, symbolizing the forgiveness and elimination of guilt.

Today, without the Temple and the Levitical priesthood, modern Judaism is unable to perform these sacrificial rituals. Instead, atonement is sought through fasting, prayer, and charity. However, the Bible shows us that sin can only be atoned for through the shedding of blood. Rabbinic tradition, in moving away from the ritual of sacrifice, cannot offer the assurance of forgiveness that the blood of a lamb provided, and which today is offered to us through the definitive sacrifice of Jesus.

Personal Application: Ponder the seriousness of sin and the price that was paid. Recognize that nothing you can do—fasting, prayer, or good works—can atone for your sin. The blood sacrifice offered by Jesus is the only way.

Call to Intercession: Pray that the Jewish people, as they fast and pray on Yom Kippur, will understand that the absence of the sacrifice is a reminder of the void that can only be filled by the true and final sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.