Covering Sin

Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year.  The name of this festival is translated “Day of Atonement” in our English Bibles.  The name literally means “Day of Covering”.  The rules and regulations God decreed for this holy day are recorded in Leviticus 16 & 23.  It was a special day meant to be a teaching device explaining how, one day, God would provide a way for man’s sin to be permanently covered and removed.

Among the many ritualistic acts that were required to be performed on this day, two stand out as being the most significant: the first was the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.  This was the only time during the year that anyone entered the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle / temple.  After flooding the inner room with the smoke from the burning incense (to dim the glory of God’s presence), the high priest sprinkled the blood of the main sacrifice on the mercy seat seven times. 

The other significant act was the selection of twin goats.  Lots were cast to select one for the burnt offering and the other one became azazel (the goat of removal or the scapegoat).  The one chosen for slaughter provided the blood that was taken into the Holy of Holies.  The other was to be chased out into the wilderness – far away from the people, never to return – after the high priest had symbolically “transferred” the people’s sins to it.

It is in the New Testament book of Hebrews (chapters 9 & 10) where we learn that Jesus’ atonement on the cross was the fulfillment of this symbolic festival.  For it was by His blood shed on Calvary that our sins are removed; remitted; cleansed.  It was the one-time, perfect sacrifice of the sinless Son of God that (1) was freely given to pay the price for sin (death), and (2) that completely removed sin from the people (never to return), and (3) that was presented to God in heaven (the real Holy of Holies) which justifies completely those who return to Him through faith in His blood (His atoning sacrifice).  For it is by our being baptized into Christ that clothes us with Him (Gal. 3:25-26), puts our sin to death (Rom. 6:3-5) and thereby provides remission of sin (Acts 2:38) and the hope of new life in God’s presence forever.

Whew!  That’s a lot of work.  And isn’t it awesome that God did all of this for you – before you knew you needed Him to?  Before you even asked for Him to help you?  And isn’t it amazing that all He asks of you to take advantage of His special offer of atonement / covering is to surrender to Him completely, be cleansed in the prescribed way and live the rest of your life for Him?

The decision to do so becomes much clearer the more you come to know His Son Jesus.  It is also much easier to accept when one realizes how much time and energy He went through (way ahead of time) in order to make your choice so simple.  So, isn’t it time you return to Him for cleansing; for life?

Doug