Tonight at sundown, Jews around the world will commemorate Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It is one of the seven Biblical feasts God instituted for the Jewish people (Leviticus 23), and is the most somber of them all.

As you know, each Jewish feast carries both deep Jewish traditional meaning and value, as well as fulfillment value to us as believers in Jesus. Through Jewish eyes, Yom Kippur is a day of repentance and mourning. In the days leading up to Yom Kippur, observant Jews search their hearts, and Yom Kippur is a day of unloading guilt through repentance.

As Christians, we certainly appreciate the concept of repentance, as that is precisely what John the Baptist taught leading up to Jesus’ ministry on earth, and was carried forth by Jesus Himself. However, we rejoice that our “day of atonement” was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross for us, washing away our sin. That doesn’t mean we are perfect and never have need of repentance. God knows we have need for that! But our repentance puts us immediately back into fellowship with the One who gave His life for us! How sweet it is!

But, how about an insider’s look at Yom Kippur! Our friends at One for Israel provide a very clear explanation from a Messianic Jewish perspective! This is a great primer to help us understand Yom Kippur from both a Jewish and Christian perspective. Beautiful…enjoy!