Pray and Feast for 21 DaysSample

Day of Atonement Part 1 // Jesus our Redeemer

The Day of Atonement is perhaps the feast most revered in the Jewish calendar. On this day, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of a sacrificed bull and goat in order to atone (cover) the sins of Israel. By doing so, Israel’s sin would be forgiven and they would be reconciled with God. It was necessary that these sacrifices and this ceremony was followed at the same time each year, as the relationship of a nation and God was dependent on it. 

In Jesus, however, we see that this was a shadow of God’s full intention. Hebrews 10 highlights the problem with the Old Covenant process: It had to be done year after year after year. In Jesus, we have an infinitely greater sacrifice than that of bulls and goats. Jesus, “after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat at the right hand of God… For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified.”(Hebrew 10:12-14, HCSB) Through Jesus, we have been justified once and for all. This is something we should always be thankful for and not take for granted. 

Prayer:

Thank You, God, that in Jesus we have the perfect sacrifice. I thank You that Your sacrifice has covered all my sins: past, present and future. We celebrate everything You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.