Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the most solemn day on the Jewish calendar, began tonight at sundown.  Levitical law (Leviticus 23:27) calls for affliction of soul and an offering of fire to the Lord.  Thus, on this day, Jews who commemorate Yom Kippur typically fast for the entire day as a way to afflict their souls.  It is a time of prayer and asking for God’s forgiveness individually and nationally.

Leviticus 17:11 tells us that life is in the blood, and that blood makes atonement for sin.  In the New Testament, Hebrews 9:22 repeats the principle:

In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood.  For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

So, does fasting bring atonement?  Are animal sacrifices required for forgiveness of sin?  What are Jews to do, since there is no longer a Temple altar on which to offer the sacrifice?

As believers, we have great hope!  Daniel 9:24-26 provides clues to the great hope we have.  First, the passage promised that Messiah (Jesus) would come at a certain time in history, and that He would make atonement for sin and would bring everlasting righteousness (among other things).  Secondly, it tells us that the Messiah would be cut off, and the Temple and the city would be destroyed.  The key here is: the Messiah must come and be cut off PRIOR to the destruction of the Temple and the city.

Isaiah 53 prophesied that Jesus would come, would be despised and forsaken, would bear our sin and weaknesses, and would be pierced for our rebellion and crushed for our iniquities.

Dear friends, Jesus indeed came to accomplish all that at a certain time in history…before the destruction of the Temple…so we would recognize His coming.  Yet, His own people (Jews) did not recognize Him as the Messiah.

But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes. Before long your enemies will build ramparts against your walls and encircle you and close in on you from every side. They will crush you into the ground, and your children with you. Your enemies will not leave a single stone in place, because you did not recognize it when God visited you.”    ~Luke 19:41-44

Jesus lamented over Jerusalem because His people did not recognize Him.  Therefore, they missed the most important thing in history!  By dying on the cross, He was the “once and for all” atonement for sin. (Hebrews 7:27)  To confirm His sufficiency as the final sacrifice, the Temple and altar were destroyed, as prophesied.  Thus, Jews of today have no Temple and altar on which to offer a sacrifice.

However, the Jewish Yom Kippur should serve as our reminder that the final sacrifice was indeed made, and anyone…Jew or Gentile…may enter into the “once and for all” atonement by the blood of Jesus.  It no longer requires affliction of soul or sacrifice of fire.  Jesus has done it all!

If you have never recognized and acknowledged that Jesus died on the cross to atone for your sins, and that He was risen from the dead to give you everlasting life, now is the time!  It is a free gift and you can learn how to inherit that atonement and everlasting life here.  Today is His “day of visitation” for you, so don’t miss it as the Jews did on that day.  May Yom Kippur become the day of your salvation!

Blessings!

(Stop by on Saturday for our fourth, and final, look at an incredible example of a Revivalist.  The story of a Hamas terrorist, turned Israeli informant and follower of Jesus Christ will bless you!)