Day of Atonement

Day 44

OT Reading: Leviticus 15-17

NT Reading: Matthew 27:1-31

On your calendar you will see it listed as Yom Kippur. It is the most holy day in the Jewish calendar. It is the day of atonement. Today we read about the events that took place on this day, the highlight being the high priest's annual visit to the Holy of Holies (a.k.a. "the most holy place), the sacrifice of one goat, and the release of the scapegoat.

Since you've just read through this entire portion I'll not rehash it. However there was one element of today's reading that really stuck out to me. As we read about these three immense activities that took place on that most holy day, it seems significant that we would also be reading about the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion...the one who ultimately fulfilled all three roles in himself.

Jesus is our high priest, who offered a perfect sacrifice and has thereby entered into the Holy of Holies, paving the way for us to come directly to the Father. (Hebrews 5 & 7)

Jesus was the sacrificial lamb, being offered as a perfect sacrifice to make atonement for who would be seen under his blood. (Romans 8:3)

Jesus was the scapegoat, though he was without sin he took our sins upon himself and imputed his innocence upon us. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

These are the roles that Jesus took on himself. But hopefully you'll not only see it as we read through the crucifixion account...but even shadows of it as we read through the Old Testament.