Together - Daily DevotionalSample

Day of Atonement 

Jesus crucifixion combines elements from at least two of the great Old Testament festivals. We have already considered Passover but now we review The Day of Atonement.  In the OT, the Hebrew word used is KAPHAR which scholars found difficult to translate and so introduced a new word “At One”.  The concept is of two parties separated by a fault or disagreement such that they are estranged and not “at one”. We might say they are “at odds” with each other.

Reparations are made by one party to make amends for the wrong to bring about reconciliation so that the two are no longer separated but become “at one”. On the Day of Atonement three different actions were necessary for God to show us the terrible nature and consequences of sin and how He would deal with it. That the animal was killed shows us the severity and punishment of sin, the scapegoat shows us that sin will be carried away and the burning of the sacrifice shows the total destruction of sin.  Note that the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the atonement cover which is often referred to as the mercy seat! God’s mercy atones for me!

Prayer: Thank you Lord that I am at one with You and no longer separated and at odds with You