Christ in Leviticus: Day of Atonement

Day of Atonement is the holiest day in Jewish calendar. It is called Yom Kippur, it is a national holiday in Israel, where everyone fasts and afflicts himself. In those days, when Moses instituted it, it was a National day of mourning, a time for prayer and repentance. In many senses it is like Good Friday. It’s a very solemn feast.

The Book of Leviticus is one of the most important books in the Bible. It details the sacrifices and describes the feasts. It is the Levite’s (Pastor’s) handbook. Jewish kids when they begin a study of the Torah (Bible/Law), begin their study at Leviticus (and not Genesis). It is that important. Many Christians today skip it to their shame. You can never understand the Cross without reading Leviticus. Sacrifices and the Temple were at the Centre of Jewish life. The Cross has its meaning only because for 1500 years since Moses till Christ, the children of Israel offered daily sacrifices for their sins, it’s a portent of the Messiah. It was a symbol, not the real thing.

Here is the actual sacrifice, On that morning, the High Priest takes two goats. He casts lots, one goat representing Jesus and another goat signifying humanity. The lot for Jesus falls on which goat, that goat is sacrificed, And the other goat is set free into the wilderness. Holiest of Holies is entered into only once an year, that too by the High Priest only. After the sacrifices, the High Priest takes the Bowl of blood in one hand and a full measure of Incense in another and removes the veil and enters the Most Holy place. He then sprinkles the blood on the Mercy Seat (Throne) and thus makes an atonement for the sins of Israel. He prays there for himself and the nation and then closes the veil and comes out. This ceremony is repeated every year. This ceremony is

repeated every year. Only because of the Cross, it is stopped.

Fast forward to the Cross, there is Barabbas standing and Jesus at Pilate’s throne. One sinner is set free, and the other Innocent dies for us all. Even at the Cross. The thief is forgiven, because Jesus is dying in his place next to him. That is why once Jesus died on the cross, there was an earthquake and the veil was torn by the Holy Spirit, signifying the end of the sacrificial system for ever. Even as the unbelieving Jews still continued the sacrifices, God destroyed the temple in 70 AD. for that purpose. Roman General Titus came and ransacked the temple, threw down the stones, exactly as Jesus predicted in Matt 24. That is why even till today, there is no temple. Neither will there be one, till Jesus Returns to the earth. After Rapture, the Anti-Christ will make Peace with Israel and begin a False temple and install his own picture inside. So those of you who think some Third temple will come are on shaky ground. We are the Temple - The body of Believers worshipping Christ across nations 24x7.

Going back to Leviticus, Jesus fulfilled all the types of sin-offering. Sometimes I think the Church instead of focusing only on 7 words on Good Friday, should have different themes, Maybe examining how Jesus fulfilled all the sacrifices on the Cross. The book of Hebrews explains how Jesus after His Resurrection, entered Heaven and met the Father, taking His own blood.

Yom Kippur is still followed today in Israel. Life comes to a standstill, it’s a National day of repentance. But, one day when Jesus returns, the Jews will know what it is all about. As Zechariah said, 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, the land will mourn, each one for himself. Zech 12:10

And one shall ask Him, what are these wounds in your hands and Jesus will answer, these are they with which I have been wounded in the house of my friends. Zech 13:5

Today as the Holy Spirit leads you, mourn for your sins, and that of your family and the Church. There is a fountain filled with blood, for sin and for uncleanness. Zech 13:1