LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 9:7, But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;

 

Is it okay if I do a little teaching about what the Lord Jesus Christ did at the cross for you and me? I would like to discuss the word “atonement” “which has the idea of covering over sin by making an equivalent payment, so that adequate recompense is made for the offense” (LSSB). In the Old Testament atonement was necessary to cover Israel’s sins so they would not be subject to God’s wrath. Because God wanted to preserve His people, to save the Israelites and be sure they were united with Him, He provided a way of salvation by accepting in their place the death of sacrificed animal which bore their guilt and penalty; it had to be without blemish – an innocent life.

 

This happened one time per year on the Day of Atonement. It was to provide a comprehensive sacrifice for all sins that may not have been atoned for in the sacrifices offered throughout the previous year. The people would be cleansed from their sins in the past year and prevent God’s wrath and maintain their fellowship with Him. Leviticus 16 explains what happened regarding the Day of Atonement. It was the most holy day of the year for Jewish people. They fasted and humbled themselves before the Lord. This “emphasized the seriousness of sin and the fact that God’s atoning work was effective only for those who had a repentant heart and persevering faith” (LSSB).

 

Why is this significant to each of us today? The symbolism of the Day of Atonement points to the ministry of Jesus Christ and His atoning death on a cross. The Day of Atonement had to be repeated every year; it was temporary and insufficient. It did point to a time when Jesus Christ would come to take away permanently all the sins of whosoever who would repent and call upon His name to be saved. “The sacrifices on the Day of Atonement provided a covering 0ver of sin, not a taking away of sin” (LSSB). The blood shed by the Lord Jesus on the cross is God’s ultimate atonement for humanity because it takes away your sin and my sin, your guilt and my guilt away permanently. Hebrews 10:4, “For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Only the blood of Jesus Christ can do that.

 

Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice. He paid the full penalty for our sins.  His sacrifice has turned away the wrath of God for all who repent and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. That reconciles or reunites us to the Father and allows us to have fellowship with Him. That is what allows us to walk on the narrow way to eternal life in His kingdom. His sacrifice for our sins was complete and permanent, never needing to be done again.

 

May I encourage you this morning by telling you that the saving, reconciling, and purifying power of the blood of Jesus Christ is continually working in Believers as they come to God through Him. Jesus Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest and as our Mediator. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you and I receive the full benefits and blessings He gives as we persevere in faith and obedience on the narrow way. This is “the righteousness of God” we receive as a new creation!

 

Why don’t you join me by taking some time to give Him the praise and thanksgiving He desires and deserves for His gift of salvation to you.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible