Daily devotion – Yom Kippur and what it means.
Leviticus 23:26 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 27 “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, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. 28 And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God.
The nation of Israel today celebrates Yom Kippur. During temple times, a week before Yom Kippur, the COHEN HAGADOL (High Priest) went to live in his chamber in the Temple in order to prepare himself spiritually and physically for this holy day.
It was on Yom Kippur he was to make atonement for all Jews in the world. This was the only time of the year he entered the Holy of Holies. During the ADVODAH (literally work, that is the Temple service) the high priest had to change his garments five times – each time a different set of clothing.
He also immersed himself (washed) five times in the MIKVEH, washed his hands and feet ten times, sacrificed two lambs, one bull, two goats, and two rams. He offered meal and wine libations and made three incense offerings.
On this day, he had to work harder than all the priests and Levites who were on duty.
Today on the Day of Atonement, as a symbol of purity many Jews wear white clothing and either walk on plastic shoes or house slippers, as long as they are not from leather.
Many people will also spend most of Yom Kippur in the synagogue, where five prayer services are followed by litanies of petitions and forgiveness.
Even many non-religious Jews will try to keep the twenty five hour fast. It is customary to herald the end of Yom Kippur by blowing the SHOFAR at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Most people break their Yom Kippur fast with a festival meal. Soon, the sound of hammers can be heard all over the city as many religious Jews begin to build their SUKKAH (tabernacle) for the Feast of Tabernacles which follows.
As we read this our hearts go out to the people of Israel, God’s chosen people. For in all of this wonder and ritual that was implemented by God through Moses, is the true reason behind Yom Kippur, that is the coming of their Messiah Jesus Christ.
For it would be His coming and His sacrifice that would cause the ever present veil of separation between the Holy of Holies and the people of Israel to be torn from top to bottom. As Jesus Christ, our High Priest would make the way open for all who would receive Him from that time forth.
But it would not be by the blood of bulls and goats, no it would be by His very own death and His innocent blood that would forever grant salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness and God’s grace to be made available to all who would receive Him.
No longer would it be a yearly ritual, no for Jesus sacrifice would occur once and once only!
Heb 10:12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
Its done, all we have to do is believe, and accept it!