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Posts tagged ‘Book of Life’

Understanding Yom Kippur: A Christian Perspective on Atonement

Atonement: Yom Kippour

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people. Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur mark the Days of Awe. During this ten-day period, Jews forgive others, give to those in need, and confess sins in order to secure their names in the Book of Life for another year,

The Days of Awe end with a 25 hour fast and a Sabbath rest called Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. This day was when God provided atonement for the sins of the Israelites. Leviticus 16 explains the Day of Atonement, how the Jews would bring two animals for sacrifice into the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle. Here is a short summary of the major events of the day.

  • After sacrificing on the priest’s own behalf, he would then sacrifice one animal in the temple as the sin offering. The second was named the Azazel or scapegoat. The priest would symbolically lay the sins of the people on the head of the goat and lead it outside of the camp, representing the sins of the people being taken away. This animal sacrifice would occur once a year and was always a temporal covering of sin. Year after year the Israelites repeated this tradition to ensure sins were covered and names were sealed in the Book of Life.

The question for us as Christians is how do we celebrate and remember a holiday in which the whole point of it is to make atonement for sins when we know Jesus has already made that ultimate atonement for us? Rather than trying to atone for another year’s sins, we as Christians can celebrate what Christ has already done for us. Here are some suggestions:

  1. You can extend radical forgiveness. Just as Jesus has given us grace, we too can extend grace and heal broken relationships during Yom Kippur. When you don’t have the grace or strength to forgive, ask God to supply both of those in greater measure.
    • Remember Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
  2. You can consider fasting for a meal or entire day. During your time of fasting, spend time praying. Pray for:
    • those who have not yet come to Jesus
    • Missionaries
    • Pastors
    • family members
    • the Nation of Israel
    • your own country
  3. You may also want to thank the LORD for the holidays as a revelation of Jesus at this time. This Blessing is…
    • Blessed art You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us holidays, customs, and seasons of happiness, for the glory of our Lord Jesus, the Light of the world.
The Seven Appointed Times of God

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Feasts of God, Scriptural Articles

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