Friends, for 10 days, the Jewish people have been counting the 10 Days of Awe. Those are days leading up to Yom Kippur, the most somber day on the Hebrew calendar. Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.

When the Temple stood in Jerusalem in ancient times, two goats were brought to the Temple on Yom Kippur for sacrifice. One was put on the altar as a sacrifice to God for atonement. Another, the scapegoat, was sent away into the wilderness as a representation of carrying away Israel’s sins.

Of course, there has been no Temple since the Roman destruction of it in 70AD. As the Romans ravaged Jerusalem, Jews fled throughout the world. Seeking to uphold what they could of Jewish law, they continued commemoration of the 7 feasts of Israel, though they had no Temple at which to offer sacrifices.

How does one obtain atonement, the restoration of relationship with God, without the proper sacrifice? As repentant followers of Jesus Christ, we understand that He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Yet, Israel has yet to acknowledge and receive that Lamb of God who came to take away their sin.

Yet, they gather in throngs of 100,000 strong at the Western Wall during the 10 Days of Awe, awaiting Yom Kippur, and yearning for God’s forgiveness. Yom Kippur began last night at sundown.

Here is a video of the gathering of Jewish people at the Western Wall, and a few words of commentary from Amir Tsarfati:

Indeed, the Jewish people, particularly in Israel since October 7, are seeking to find faith in God. Zechariah 12:10 says:

¹⁰ “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. 

Romans 11:26 tells us a day is coming when all Israel will be saved, fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy. That will happen when Jesus returns to fulfill Yom Kippur.

Israel’s national salvation is a future, prophetic event. But meanwhile, individual salvation can take place at any time. So, on Israel’s most somber day, the day Jewish people are yearning for atonement, let’s pray fervently to our Jewish Messiah, Jesus, and ask for that Spirit of grace and supplication to be poured out on individual Jews. May they look upon Jesus and mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son. That is true repentance that brings salvation. Many are yearning for forgiveness. May they experience it in their repentant prayers.