On This Day of Atonement

Clean. Spotless. Pure. These are more than words for high priests in Israel. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement (or Yom Kippur), these priests would enter the Holy of Holies, where they would come before Almighty God. All alone. This was a sobering moment. A moment that required each man to prepare. To be ready to face God. Ready to give an account of his life: everything he had said and done.

But more than a special day for priests, this was one of three special feast days instituted by God Himself. He called these days “the Lord’s appointed times” (Leviticus 23:2). On these days, there were to be holy convocations. Special offerings were to be made. Specifically, the Day of Atonement was to be set aside by all people. For prayer. Soul-searching. Confession. Repentance. It was so serious that no one could work or eat.

After the high priest made a sacrifice to atone for himself and other priests, he sacrificed a goat as an offering for sin. Then another goat was sent into the wilderness, symbolically taking away the sins of the people.

Through this symbolism, we are reminded of all that Jesus has done for us. He sacrificed Himself for our sins that we might be forgiven. Jesus also became our high priest. And, like the scapegoat, He took our sins away “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).

The Day of Atonement, which is celebrated beginning at sundown today, still has power and meaning. This still is one of “the Lord’s appointed times.” Humble yourself before Him. Spend time in prayer. Seek to be clean in His sight. Receive the forgiveness, freedom, and victory that are yours through Christ! And remember to bring your special offering to Him!