Atonement: Amends or reparation made for an injury or
wrong (online definition).
This chapter is all about
the Day of Atonement when the priest entered the Holy of Holies to make
atonement for himself and for Israel . The rituals for the Day of
Atonement are laden with symbolism and meaning.
The last verse caught my
attention. Verse 34: "This is to be a
lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins
of the Israelites." And it was done, as the LORD commanded Moses.
Every year the priest offers atonement for the sins of the Israelites. I
wondered about present day Israel , since AD 70 and the destruction of the
Temple , there
have been no Day of Atonement sacrifices offered. How do they square that with
the OT?
Then I thought, wow, where
do I reinterpret things to fit my 21st century lifestyle and
sensibilities???
My thoughts did a
flip-flop, flashing to Hebrews 9. I encourage you to read verses 11-28. I’ll
post only the last three of those verses: …
now he [Christ] has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with
sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after
that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of
many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring
salvation to those who are waiting for him.
I thought, God takes our
need for atonement seriously! He provided an eternal way so that we don’t have
to go to the temple yearly!
Thank You,
Lord! Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making atonement for me and for all who believe
and follow you… for all who are waiting for
You.
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