The most important day in the
Jewish religious calendar is the Day of Atonement
(Leviticus 16). It is to this day central to Judaism
even though the sacrificial system came to an end
with the destruction of the temple in A. D. 70. It
is the highest holy day in Judaism.
On the Day of Atonement the
high priest entered the Holy of Holies in the
tabernacle of the wilderness, and later the temple
in Jerusalem, to make atonement for the sins of the
people of Israel.
The word atonement means, “to
cover” the sin, and thus to “wipe out,” “to erase,”
“to cover.” In doing so the sacrifice “removed” the
guilt of man’s sin before God. The removal of the
sin accomplished reconciliation between men and God.
Perhaps this is why the Jewish rabbis called it the
“Day,” or the “Great Day.”
God provided the Day of
Atonement to avert His wrath for sins already
committed and guarantee His presence with His
people.
The sacrifice of the first goat
and the sending the second one away into the
wilderness to die were intended to cleanse the
nation, the priesthood, and the sanctuary of sin.
Every sacrifice in the
tabernacle reached its climax on that day. Something
was left undone in the daily sacrifice and rituals
to cover sin. Only one day of the year could the
high priest enter into the Most Holy place and meet
with God before the mercy seat. Only on the Day of
Atonement could the representative of the people
enter into this most solemn meeting place between
God and man. It was only with the sacrificial blood
of the animal substitute that He could enter on
behalf of the people and himself.
Why this special sacrifice for
sin? Jehovah God is a most holy God who will not
permit sin in His presence. All of the combined
offerings for sin could not provide for unknown
sins. With this special sacrifice God provided for
complete atonement of all sin committed during the
year (Lev. 16:33). Or did it?
In reality the sacrifice of
atonement on this special day did not cover all sins
once and for all because it had to be repeated
yearly. It was a “type” along with all of the other
Jewish sacrifices of the atonement that God would
one day provide by the sacrifice of the perfect Lamb
of God, Jesus Christ. Our great high priest, Jesus
Christ, offered up Himself in the shedding of His
own blood on Calvary to atone for the world’s sins
(Heb. 9:11, 12; Rom. 3:25; 5:9-10; 1 Cor. 5:7; 2
Cor. 5:18-21; Gal. 3:13-14; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 Jn.
2:2; 4:10; Rev. 5:9).
The death of Jesus Christ is
the fulfillment of all that was prefigured in the
Old Testament sacrificial system. God was in Christ
reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Cor. 5:19).
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ
secured our “eternal redemption.” What the imperfect
sacrifice of animals could not do, Jesus Christ did
once and for all for all who will believe on Him.
Christ represented us in His
death. He is our substitute. “One has died for all”
(2 Cor. 5:14). Our representative is before the
Father pleading our case with His blood (1 Jn. 2:2).
God graciously provided the perfect sacrifice for
our sin. It was an act of God in grace for sinful
man. The death of Jesus Christ is what provides
atonement for the sinner. We can come into God’s
presence only by that blood (Matt. 26:28; Lk. 22:20;
Col. 1:20). The atonement of Jesus Christ is
once-for-all, never to be repeated.
The Old Testament idea of
substitution is prevalent in the expression “for
us,” “for me.” Jesus “gave Himself as a ransom for
all” (1 Tim. 2:6; cf. 2 Cor. 5:21; Mk. 10:45). He
became a “curse for us” (Gal. 3:13). The shedding of
blood was central in making atonement for sin. A
death occurred. Someone died for the penalty of sin
(Heb. 9:22; Rom. 5:8; Jn. 1:29, 36; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
One of the clearest expressions
of the substitution idea is the unintended prophecy
of the high priest Caiaphas at the trial of Jesus in
the early morning hours of the day Jesus died. “It
is expedient for you that one man die for the
people, and that the whole nation should not perish”
(Jn. 11:50).
It is imperative that every
individual appropriate the atonement of Jesus Christ
by faith. No one else can do it for you. You must
put your faith in Christ as your substitute in order
to be saved from sin and spend eternity with God in
heaven.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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Unless otherwise noted "Scripture quotations taken from the NASB." "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE" © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://www.bible.org/. All rights reserved.
Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
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