Today, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is Judaism’s holiest day of the year. Jews traditionally observe an approximate 25 hours of fasting, confession and intensive prayer in response to this Mosaic law:
“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves [fast] and not do any work—whether native-born or a foreigner residing among you— because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a day of sabbath rest, and you must deny yourselves; it is a lasting ordinance. Leviticus 16:29-31 NIV
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Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jews try to amend their behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God and against others.
At the end of Yom Kippur, one hopes that they have been forgiven by God.
What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven!
What joys when sins are covered over!
What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.
Psalm 32:1-2 Living Bible
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Jesus changed all that.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Romans 8: 1-4 (NLT)
A sacrifice that fulfilled the requirements of the law, so no condemnation, none. Ever again.
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So, what does a Christian do on Yom Kippur? Take inventory, perhaps?
“While we should not allow the burdens of the past
nor the anxieties of the future to exert a destructive effect on our living,
the constructive lessons of the past
and a responsible attitude towards the future
can guide us to a proper and responsible life.”
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski
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So, on this special, holy day,
