Day of Atonement: A Christian Holy Day
What does the Day of Atonement (or Yom Kippur in Hebrew) have to do with Christianity? Isn’t this just an Old Testament festival that was fulfilled by Jesus Christ? If we take a look at some of the Old Testament entries regarding this Holy Day, we see that that High Priest was to enter the Holy of Holies once a year, and spread the sacrificial blood on the Ark of the Covenant (Leviticus 16). In Hebrews chapter 9, we are told that Jesus Christ “entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (verse 12). Does the sacrifice of Jesus Christ abolish the Day of Atonement? Rather than being forgiven of our sin based on our own merits, the Day of Atonement reminds us of our absolute dependence on God, not just as creator and sustainer, but also as Redeemer. We celebrate the Day of Atonement in remembrance Christ defeating Satan and overcoming sin an death. Discover how this Christian Holy Day is still relevant for the follower of Jesus Christ today…