Sep 12
25
Hello Emmaus Church. Tomorrow (09/26/12) Jews all over the world will observe Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Attonement . The Day of Atonement is the most sacred day of the Jewish year and involves fasting, prayers and a liturgy related to the ministry of the High Priest as commanded in the Book of Leviticus for the atonement of God’s people. Furthermore, the Day of Attonement is central to properly understanding the Chrstian faith. Levitcus 16 describes this event in detail, as it is one of the most significant chapters in all of the Old Testament. In Leviticus 16 the High Priest is given elaborate and extensive instructions on how to carry out the sacrifice needed to atone for the sins of the people. This was the only day of the entire year that the High Priest was able to enter into the Holy of Holies in order to make atonement for the sins of God’s people.
In the New Testament, the book of Hebrews tells us that “we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.” (Hebrews 8:1, 2 ESV) Yom Kippur is the central event in understanding the need for a sacrifice, and why Christ was the only one worthy to fully atone for the sins of the people. For “he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,”(Colossians 1:22 ESV)
In remembering and observing this pivotal day in the formation of Christianity, I encourage you to do the following.
1. Read the following article about the Day of Atonement. The Author does a great job explaining the importance of Yom Kippur and its significance to Christianity. http://www.unionchurch.com/archive/101401.html
2. Read Leviticus 16 and understand it in context.
3. Read the book of Hebrews and make note of Christ as our high priest.
4. Reflect on the majestic, amazing, and underserving gift we received through God’s perfect sacrifice, Christ.
5. Pray for Israel that they would see that Christ is the true messiah and only the high priest worthy of atoning for the sins of the world!
May you be blessed as we remember and reflect on the most central event of all history; God’s redemption of His own. Blessings.
-Russell
