Yom Kippur

Today is Yom Kippur, literally the "Day of Atonement." It is one of the most important Jewish holidays of the year, drawing in crowds comparable to a Christian Easter or Christmas service. Yom Kippur, which ends the Ten Days of Repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah, includes a 24- to 25-hour fast from sunset Wednesday to sunset today as well as services that take place at synagogues Wednesday night and much of today.

But as a Christian, what is the significance of this holiday? The original rites and practices for the Day of Atonement are set forth in the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus (cf. Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 23:27-31, 25:9; Numbers 29:7-11). It is considered to be a time for fasting, on which no food or drink are be consumed:

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls...It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath (Leviticus 23:26-27,32).

This fasting is historically how the phrase "afflict your souls" has been interpreted by the Jewish community (this is also verified by such passages as Psalm 35:13; 69:10 and Isaiah 58:5) to mean fasting, unless one is somehow ill, and thus is already afflicted. Evening to evening means from sunset to sunset.

In the New Testament, the Day of Atonement is referred to as "the Fast" (Acts 27:9). The fact that this day was referred to that way (or even at all) is an indication that it was observed by Christians after Christ's resurrection. The Bible clearly shows that so-called Jewish holy days, such as Pentecost were observed by Christians after Jesus' resurrection (Acts 2:1).

The ceremony related the the Day of Atonement is discussed in Leviticus 16. Skipping down to verses 9-10, this passage states:

And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the LORD's lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness (NKJV).

The slain goat represents Christ who actually dies for our sins. I could get a lot deeper but this post would get a lot longer than it already is if I did so.

The significance to Christians on Yom Kippur is summed up pretty well in Hebrews 7:23-28:

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.

We no longer need someone to offer sacrifices for us every year, Jesus has made the ultimate sacrifice of Himself, a perfect sacrifice. So on this Yom Kippur, thank Jesus for His amazing love for us, that He once and for all came to die for us.