God’s Love for You

Today at sundown begins Yom Kippur. This is the “Day of Atonement,” a special and very holy day established by God Himself just after the children of Israel had left Egypt. He directed that this was to be a day of contemplation, prayer, and self-examination. No one was permitted to work or eat.

God knew it was important for everyone to think about their life and atone for their sins. There were no exceptions. This entire day was “most holy to the Lord” (Exodus 30:10).

As part of the observance, the high priest would make atonement for himself and other priests through a sacrifice. Then he sacrificed a goat as an offering for sin, and a scapegoat was sent into the wilderness. Symbolically, this goat took away the sins of the people.

This day reminds us of how much God loves us, and symbolizes all that Jesus has done on our behalf. He sacrificed Himself for our sins that we might be forgiven, and this changed everything: “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 3:1-13).

Jesus became our high priest and, like the scapegoat, took our sins away “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to be the “atoning sacrifice” for our sins and the “lamb of God” for us (John 1:29).

The Day of Atonement should not be an ordinary day. It was special to God. Even today, it should be special for you as well.

Make this a day to thank God for cleansing you from sin. Allow Him to search your heart and mind. Confess your sins and receive His forgiveness. Then rejoice in the freedom and victory that are yours through Christ.